July 12th, 2018 Edition

‘The people’s ribbon-cutting’

Terry

after the second, diverse ribbon-cutting at the Gateway Arch on Friday, July 6. Franks and Jones organized the event.

Stenger ducks forum on county exec race

By Kenya Vaughn and Rebecca Rivas

ribbon-cutting photo for the grand opening of the renovated Arch grounds on July 3. The now-infamous photo spawned the hashtag #ArchSoWhite because of the total absence of people of color.

“We cannot and must not allow ourselves and our history and our contribution to history be erased or forgotten,” Gray said.

Groups representing multiple ethnicities in the St. Louis region stood on the Arch grounds as a reflection of what they didn’t see in the photo, in an event organized by state Rep. Bruce Franks Jr., St. Louis Treasurer Tishaura O. Jones and others.

‘Further desecration’ of cemetery

DDI Media hired bulldozers to clear brush that also destroyed headstones

By Sophie Hurwitz

the St. Louis American

According to activist Wanda Brandon, bulldozers clearing trees at Washington Park Cemetery, an historically African-American burial ground, recently broke half a dozen headstones into pieces.

St. Louis County Councilwoman Hazel Erby posted her outrage to Facebook: “This is criminal! It’s time to come together to stop this blatant disrespect! I was told that there is a company who shows up during weekdays with bulldozers trampling the tombstones.” Kevin Bailey, who owns most of the cem-

Wanda Brandon stands in front of a billboard that sits on the grounds of Washington Park Cemetery.

By

Gloria S. Ross For The St. Louis American

Photo by Wiley Price

For

Photo by Wanda Brandon

Jennings Councilman

Wilson, state Rep. Bruce Franks Jr., St. Louis Treasurer Tishaura O. Jones, Susan Saarinen (the daughter of Gateway Arch designer Eero Saarinen), Cori Bush, 1st District congression candidate, Farrakhan Shegog, Rev. Darryl Gray, Mayor Lyda Krewson, Public Safety Director Jimmie Edwards, and 5th Ward Committeeman Rasheen Aldridge celebrated

Mark Mantovani

Rev. Samuel Hylton Jr.

Cardi B gives birth to baby girl

Cardi B and husband Offset, a member of the rap trio The Migos, welcomed their first child on Tuesday, Cardi B announced on Instagram Wednesday alongside a nude maternity photo.

Cardi B, (born Belcalis Almanzar), captioned the pic “Kulture Kiari Cephus 7/10/18” and tagged Offset in the note.

The baby girl is the first child for Cardi B and the fourth for Offset (birth name Kiari Cephus), who has three children from previous relationships.

Mike Epps reheats beef with Kevin Hart

Mike Epps pounced on the opportunity to take a jab at fellow comic Kevin

Hart after a fan offered his opinion in the comments of a photo featuring Epps and Eddie Murphy in the upcoming “Dolemite” biopic.

“Eddie Murphy funnier than Kevin Hart still,” the fan commented on the photo.

“[Expletive] everybody is,” Epps responded.

“It’s a shame everybody isn’t selling tickets like me tho…” Hart clapped back with a mention to Epps.

When Comedy Hype caught wind of the tiff and posted it, Epps responded that the exchange was “not press worthy.”

Hart responded with a lengthy post.

An excerpt reads as follows:

Epps responded with a lengthy post of his own.

“You still starving to be a victim? I said it wasn’t press worthy, and here you go as usual trying to show the world how great you are because people pick on you. You have a long line of [expletive] to clean up before you can hand me a [expletive] bucket. I’ve been doing this [expletive] for 25 years Mr. Victim. Don’t get too cute lil brother.

“All I can say is you’re a sad individual. I’ve talked to you several times face to face in attempts to put the B.S. behind us. When will you realize that my success has nothing to do with you or your journey. Unlike you, I want to see you win…I’m actually a fan champ. I will continue to shine and continue to make history and continue to do comedy at the highest level. If that makes you sick, then so be it…I will hand you a throw up bucket because this next year that I’m about to have will be my best Mr. Bitter.”

I talk about everybody, but you always take it personal. For everybody reading this, me and Kevin been knowing each other too long, so this is not a beef. If it was, I never would have responded. Again, like I told you face to face, congrats on everything man. You seem to be a great person…but I still don’t think yo’ [expletive] is funny.”

The star witnesses now reportedly claim they were intimidated into testifying.

According to Nola.com, Kenneth Jordan said in a new affidavit that authorities offered him leniency for felony charges he faced in an unrelated case if he provided a statement implicating Miller in the murder. “I was distraught and scared,” Jordan said, according to Nola.com. He also reportedly added that he felt pressured to lie.

C-Murder

Witnesses recant testimonies in Corey “C Murder” Miller case

Back in 2009, Corey “C Murder” Miller, the brother of New Orleans music mogul Percy “Master P” Miller, was convicted of second degree murder for killing a 16-year-old inside a New Orleans night club.

Days after Jordan recanted, a second witness followed suit.

Darnell Jordan (no relation to Kenneth Jordan), 36, testified in both of Miller’s second-degree murder trials. During the 2009 retrial, he told the court Miller killed Steve Thomas, 16, inside of the now-closed Platinum Club in Harvey, where Darnell Jordan worked as a bouncer.

According to Nola.com, Jordan now says he was scared of Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office detectives who “tricked” him into identifying Miller. “I am certain that Corey Miller did not shoot Steve Thomas,” Darnell Jordan said in a hand-written letter filed with the 24th Judicial District Court on July 2.

Sources: TMZ.com, ComedyHype.com, Instagram.com, Nola.com

Cardi B

Mike Epps

Teens go green and clean invasive species

Forest Park Forever program Nature Works practices conservation with St. Louis teens

By Ashley Jones

For The St. Louis American

Nature Works is a conservation workforce development program that acts as a paid internship for nine St. Louis High School Students who are 16 and up and one college-level assistant coordinator to learn about conservation efforts and environmental job opportunities while developing their knowledge and skills to enter the workforce by cleaning up Forest Park.

“It has been long, hot, and fun,” Nature Works Volunteer Rickell Fletcher said. “Our day usually starts around 7:30 and it ends around 2, and we move invasive species, and we just have a good time.”

An invasive species can be any kind of living organism plant, insect, fish, fungus, bacteria, or even an organism’s seeds or eggs that are not native to an ecosystem and causes harm to the environment, the economy, or even human health.

“We move invasive species like honeysuckle, lambs quarter, parsley, and all of that,” Fletcher said.

Photo by Wiley Price

Volunteer Rashaun Jones said.

think about elements that are important as they enter a workplace.”

Stevens checks in with the crew every other week, and her role has a lot to do with getting feedback from the crew, coaching, mentoring, doing team building exercises with them, and helping them develop elevator pitches.

“There’s the larger goal of helping these kids develop professionally, but that happens through these small moments like sharing lunch together and getting a bunch of bug bites with your friends,” Stevens said. “It’s that adversity that kind of builds a sense of team.”

Stevens wants everyone who participates in the Nature Works program to walk away this summer feeling a sense that they can make a difference.

“If everybody who was a part of the crew left with a sense of environmental advocacy that would be awesome whether that is demonstrated in how they volunteer, how they vote, or how they spend their money,” Stevens said. “It could look like a lot of different things.”

New VP for Student Affairs at Lincoln University

Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri has new Vice President for Student Affairs. Marcus Chanay has spent 17 years addressing the ever-changing needs of students in higher education. Chanay comes to Lincoln University from Jarvis Christian College.

He began his career at Jackson State University in Jackson, Mississippi in 2001, as a specialist in Program Development in the College of Education and Human Development, School of Lifelong Learning. Chanay would eventually be named the director of Business and Community Service, also in the College of Education and Human Development, before moving to the Division of Student Life as director of Personal Development. He was named Dean of the Division of Student Life in 2004.

In 2008, Chanay advanced to the position of vice president for Student Life, a position he held while also serving as an assistant professor of Higher Education, until 2014, when he moved to Hawkins, Texas, for his most recent position, as vice president for Student Services at Jarvis Christian College.

“I never knew anything about invasive species, and in landscaping it kind of helped me to get an idea if later on in my future if I want to do a company with somebody or have an idea it’s going to help me because forest parks is really big so you get see all different waterways and bridges and how they connect and how it was built from the ground up to what it is today,” Nature Works

“Either we’re hand pulling them out or we’re sawing them or we’re mowing them down, and then we use chemical and stuff to try to get rid of it.” For one of the volunteers Nature Works sparked his interest because he has intentions of getting into landscaping and architectural work.

The Nature Works Program started four years ago with a pilot year of a smaller crew, and for the past 3 years the groups have been consistent of a 10 person crew.

“We spend time working together as a team,” said Forest Parks Forever Education Coordinator Ellie Stevens.

“This year we developed a group charter helping them think about how they want to work together. A lot of it is very intentional around how we can prepare them help them

Any high school students that are interested in Nature Works, it will be happening next summer. They only spend time actively recruiting in St. Louis Public Schools, however, they accept applications from everywhere. Everyone that applies will be guaranteed an interview.

“This is a place where people of different backgrounds come together, and there’s so much reciprocal learning. It really is this mutually beneficial relationship that we value so much.

For more information or to apply, go to forestparkforever. org/natureworks.

Chanay’s leadership experience aligns with Lincoln University’s vision to serve as a model institution that seeks diversity and inclusion and the embodiment of both in a civil learning environment. He has led initiatives to either create or grow curricular and co-curricular programs for varied student populations, including the Jackson State University Veterans Center, which serves veteran students, active military students and their families. During his tenure, the center helped JSU earn the Military Friendly Campus Award from 2012-2014.

Fundraising and stewardship of those funds are also among Chanay’s strengths. While at Jarvis Christian, he helped secure resources for a $7.1 million residence hall project, as well as construction of a wellness center. At Jackson State, Chanay led the planning and funding efforts for a $28 million student center and the $20 million Walter Payton Recreation Facility.

As a presenter over the last 15 years, he has shared his expertise on service learning; career preparation for students; anti-hazing and Greek life; the preparation for and presence of Black males in college; and recruitment and retention as a campus-wide duty. Chanay joined Lincoln University on July 1.

Marcus Chanay

We did not expect much from the candidacy of J.P. Johnson – who is running for state House in District 79, which covers west downtown to Vandeventer Avenue, with the inevitable gerrymanders – based on his political pedigree. Johnson was one of the relatively few black role players in the administration of Mayor Francis G. Slay, an administration that became vilified by the black community due to a series of incidents we need not rehash here. Then, as a young man making his first foray into political consulting after Slay stepped down, Johnson took a contract with the St. Louis Police Officers Association, working closely with Jeff Roorda, the association’s notorious business manager, bargaining agent and mouthpiece. One would have expected Johnson to be the worst kind of toady who carries water for the least progressive and inclusive of white political power players. In conversation with our editorial board, Johnson defended himself very well against that characterization of his conduct. He pointed out that he served in the waning days of the Slay administration, when Slay’s knuckle dragger Jeff Rainford had moved on to consulting, and the relatively progressive (at the time) Mary Ellen Ponder was chief of staff. These also were the days of Winston Calvert as city counselor. As Johnson said, “We got a lot of progressive things done in a short period of time.” It’s undeniable. With Ponder running point and Calvert pushing for progressive reform, the city passed a graduated minimum wage increase (later spiked by the state Legislature) and marriage equality, among other measures. As for Roorda and the city cops, Johnson pointed out that police accountability and reform are the key issues of his generation (he is 29), and change is most likely to be made from inside. Johnson revealed a keen perception of political reality, a candor that’s rare in politicians – especially

Editorial /CommEntary

younger politicians, who often feel the need to please everyone – and an off-the-cuff eloquence that rates way up there, in our experience of candidate interviews, with Jake Zimmerman.

The 79th House district is likely to elect a progressive state representative (Johnson has three opponents for this seat left vacant when Michael Butler filed for license collector). But, with a Republican supermajority in the state House, what this urban district needs is a progressive politician who knows how to deal with people exactly like Francis Slay and Jeff Roorda, white men who might have some progressive credentials (yes, that is true even of Roorda; look up his voting record when he was a Democratic state representative, before he became a repellent pit bull for the police association), but have upheld the status quo and pushed for changes that have disadvantaged the black community in manifold ways. Like it or not, it’s men like that (and worse) who steer legislation, assign committee posts and negotiate the budget in the state Legislature, and we believe Johnson is uniquely positioned by experience and a pragmatic temperament to bargain with them for the betterment of our community. The Missouri Legislature is a long way from being functional or humane, let alone progressive, but we believe J.P. Johnson has demonstrated the savvy, smarts and depth of understanding to warrant our endorsement.

In a crowded field, he has convinced others of his abilities as well, garnering key endorsements from the Young Democrats and several prochoice and labor groups. He is part of a new generation of young progressives pursuing elective office, a heartening development that we want to encourage and help to expand. We strongly endorse J.P. Johnson for state rePresentative in house District 79

Vote ‘yes’ on Prop 1 on August 7

By Comptroller Darlene Green

For The St. Louis American

City leaders are asking St. Louis City voters to approve a $50 million general obligation (GO) bond, Proposition 1, on the August 7 ballot. The bond will utilize the current tax levy, and voters should know that their taxes will not increase if a “yes” vote is cast. This $50 million bond issuance is part of the city’s 2015 10-year financial strategy, approved by the Board of Estimate and Apportionment, which identified leveraging no-tax-increase bonds, when possible, as a way for the city to better sustain routine capital investment in critical public safety and infrastructure needs. City leaders owe taxpayers

the responsible management of their tax dollars before asking them to vote to raise their taxes. By utilizing the current tax levy’s potential, this $50 million bond issue will – without raising taxes – allow the city to make several capital purchases that improve the city’s ability to deliver services to citizens. Those capital purchases include equipment for first responders, making improvements to bridges in the city and renovations for city and courts facilities.

While the infusion of $50 million will not address every identified critical need in the city, it is fiscally responsible and will provide real, tangible benefits for taxpayers, in their everyday lives, in emergencies, and when they are doing business with the city.

St. Louis city voters last approved $25M no tax increase GO bonds in 2016 to support firefighters. I ask that St. Louisans again help the city address crucial needs on August 7 by voting “yes” for Prop 1. Citizens will not see higher property taxes, capital improvements can be made, and first responders can receive essential equipment to better serve the community. A “yes” on Prop 1 means we all win.

By Nimrod Chapel Jr.

For The St. Louis American

The Missouri Legislature has passed a bill moving the referendum on Proposition A to the August 7 ballot. It’s a sneaky tactic to lower turnout for a corporate-backed ballot measure. It’s also an affront to black working families.

Proposition A is a law that would force workers to accept lower wages and make it harder for workers to have a voice in the workplace. These laws should alarm all working people, but a study just published by the Economic Policy Institute shows that states with laws similar to Proposition A are especially unfair for the African-American community. According to the study, African-American workers in surrounding states with similar laws make almost 5 percent less than their counterparts in Missouri. African-American workers here make $14.28 per hour on average, compared to only $13.65 in neighboring states with Proposition A-like laws (Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Nebraska,

Oklahoma, and Tennessee). That gap is not the same across all ethnic groups. White workers in these states make 3.7 percent less, but black workers make 4.5 percent less. That means laws like Proposition A have effectively allowed employers in these states to engage in wage discrimination. This affects our community so much because Proposition A targets one of the few tools we have left to fight racial discrimination: our voice in the workplace. A year ago, the state Legislature passed SB43, which makes it much more difficult to stand up to a discriminatory employer. Under the new law, someone can be fired for standing up for equal treatment, and we have limited choices for seeking justice in these cases. In response, the NAACP issued an unprecedented travel advisory for Missouri. The state will not protect us,

but union contracts can. African Americans are more likely than any other group of workers to be involved in a union, with a membership rate of 14 percent in Missouri. That’s compared with 10.3 percent of white workers. Unions help guarantee fair wages for all workers –not just union members – and unions help African-American workers fight back against discrimination on the job. Our opponents know how powerful we are when we stand together and make our voice heard. That’s why they are attacking the tools we use to fight for fair wages and equal treatment. They have underestimated our strength when we stand up to protect our wages and our voice. We will not be fooled by the lies they will spread or the August election date. We know Proposition A is an attempt to force us to accept lower wages and unfair discrimination. On August 7 we will turn out in force and defeat Proposition A at the ballot box.

Nimrod Chapel Jr. is president of the Jefferson City NAACP and a member of the Board of Governors for The Missouri Bar.

Commentary

Why local elections matter

By Mike Jones Of The St. Louis American

I have purposefully stayed away from commenting on local politics because local politics can be mean and vicious, and the reason it’s so mean and vicious is the stakes are usually so small. I also try not to be unnecessarily cruel, and if I wrote about the local political scene, I’d sound like an angry, bitter old man. So unless someone asks me for my opinion, my general rule is I don’t volunteer it, but every rule has its exception.

The exception that overrides the “no comment on local politics” rule is the “elections matter” rule. And all elections matter, but more governmental policy decisions affecting the quality of your life will be made by local elected officials than by any U.S. president.

The August 7 Democratic primary is less than 30 days away. At The American the job of endorsing specific candidates or issues is the responsibility of the editorial board. As an opinion writer, my portfolio is more focused on the implications of the events of the day. However, my focus here is what this August 7 election means for your future and the future of the region.

When a ship leaves port, only the captain can set the course and only the captain can change the course. No matter what any crew or passengers think about the ship’s course, short of mutiny, they are powerless to change it. The only real choice the crew or the passengers have is: Do they want to sail with this captain to the proposed destination? Passengers and crew don’t get to pick the captain they

want; they must pick from the captains commanding ships that are sailing at that moment. Elections are similar. You don’t get to choose who you think is the best person for the job, you must pick from the people running for the job. Here’s why you need to be paying attention to who’s running: Once they’re elected, there’s little you can do to influence what they’ll do and, short of impeachment, you can’t replace them until the next election. Somebody is going to get elected and will make decisions about your life and, like those passengers and crew at sea, there’s nothing you’ll be able to do about it. You’re on the ship and can’t get off, but you do get to hire the captain from a list of applicants that have applied for the job – but only if you vote.

I’m not a St. Louis cheerleader, but I’m not a reflexive naysayer either. What I try to be is an honest critic. And an honest critic has to tell you that the slow, overweight, unathletic son you love has no chance of ever playing for a World Cup championship. I also have a contrarian view of the St. Louis region’s economic decline. I don’t see it as recent historical event that requires a tactical adjustment. I believe the data leads you to the conclusion that it’s long term (over the span of 100 years) and is the result, to a large extent, of larger historical

Letters to the editor

Due diligence on Mark osmack

I recently saw your endorsement of Cort VanOstran for U.S. House District 2. While I respect your choice to endorse him as a candidate, I hope your editorial board has done so after thoroughly vetting all the candidates and not just being impressed by fundraising totals.

Before candidate filing even opened in February, the Democratic establishment in Missouri decided for us that VanOstran was their guy. Like Levi Tillemann, who recorded Steny Hoyer asking him to bow out of the race for Colorado’s 6th Congressional District a few months back, Missouri political insiders made it clear from the start that District 2 candidates other than VanOstran would not be welcome in the race. Fundraising taps were turned off, as were potential endorsement opportunities

from local chapters of national organizations. Despite the party’s best efforts to secure a single Democratic candidate before the August primary, there has still been energy behind others vying for District 2, particularly Mark Osmack.

Osmack is a St. Louis native and combat veteran endorsed by U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Illinois), state Rep Bruce Franks, and several Democratic Townships in the district. He has a dedicated volunteer base and a yard sign presence on par with VanOstran’s, while working with significantly less money. His campaign is pure grassroots and it’s growing.

If VanOstran is your guy after doing your due diligence, more power to you. But candidates like Mark Osmack deserve much more than a brush-off from both Dems and news outlets such as The American.

Megan McCarthy, Ballwin

geopolitical forces that aren’t controllable at the local level.

However, local leadership is in control of how you respond to these historical geopolitical forces. Local leadership that is intelligent, imaginative and courageous enough not to defend an obsolete status quo can often mitigate the damage and take advantage of the shifting paradigm to create a new narrative for a city or region.

For the last 20 years, as our nation and the world were transforming at light speed, St. Louis has been governed by people without the requisite skills or vision to make the necessary course corrections or recruit the diverse crew that is needed for sailing the multicultural seas of the 21st century. The proverb says, “Where the leaders have no vision the people perish.” Unless and until we get leadership equal to what these times require, St. Louis will be a ship lost at sea, without a coarse, headed nowhere. Over the next four weeks as The American vets its choices and makes its recommendations, remember that because you live here, your passage is already booked, but the captains haven’t been picked. So pick your captains like your life depends on it, because it does.

Mike Jones is a former senior staffer in St. Louis city and county government and current member of the Missouri State Board of Education and The St. Louis American editorial board.

haas: i’m the better choice

You endorsed my friend Cort VanOstran, but if people want to beat Ann Wagner in the general election, I’d be the better choice because I have much better name recognition, have run in this district several times before, have a good reputation from my four terms on the St. Louis school board, and have more centrist issues designed to appeal across the political spectrum. An unknown running for the first time, Cort has never beaten a three-term incumbent with no scandals. I despair Cort, a nice guy and my friend, can be the first. Moreover, I’ll have held 17 town halls, Ann and Cort none. I’m the better primary choice. I’m about people not politics, and people will know that.

Bill Haas St. Louis

Guest Columnist Mike Jones

Guest Columnist

Darlene Green

More than 100K Missourians have Unclaimed Property coming to them

More than 100,000 Missourians have Unclaimed Property that was turned over to the state treasurer office by financial institutions, business, government agencies and other organizations. State Treasurer Eric Schmitt returned $45 million of Unclaimed Property in 2017. His office currently has $1 billion in Unclaimed Property to return. Individuals, families, small businesses and others can check to see if they have Unclaimed Property online at www.ShowMeMoney. com. They can also sign up for email notifications when new assets come in matching their information and send notifications to family and friends to let them know about money being held in their name.

August 15 deadline for Ernest J. Gaines Award

Entries for the 12th annual Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence will be accepted through August 15. Sponsored by the Baton Rouge Area Foundation, the Gaines Award was created to honor outstanding literary work from rising African-American authors while recognizing Louisiana native Ernest Gaines’ extraordinary contribution to the literary world. The Gaines Award honors outstanding fiction – novels or short-story collections – published in 2018. Galleys for 2018 publications are also accepted. Information on criteria and entrance forms for the award, which includes a $10,000 cash prize, is available at www.ernestjgainesaward. org.

Born on the 4th of July

Baby Germani came into the world on the same day the nation celebrated its own birthday with fireworks. Germani is one of four babies born on July 4 in the Women and Infants Center at BarnesJewish Hospital in St. Louis.

Cages

By Jamala Rogers For The St. Louis American

We who believe in justice are doing the right thing to raise hell on behalf of the children being torn from their parents based upon inhumane policies and racist attitudes. However, it’s a lack of historical knowledge that, when some declare that such a racist policy is un-American, or is in contraction with American values, etc. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Also, those of us of darker hue totally understand notso coded words like “zero tolerance.” It means you’re unwelcome and unwanted and the minute, the second that you do, say anything that whites find uncomfortable or unacceptable, you will be dealt with harshly and swiftly.

I thought about Trump’s policy and American history as the horrific images of traumatized refugee children crying for their parents were projected to the world.

After mounting public pressure and negative headlines, Trump finally signed an executive order to stop the horrendous practice of family separation. But this is a man of warped thinking and a penchant for wanting to be a dictator. He cannot be trusted on any level.

Most of us know and have seen the hard, cold evidence that Trump will use anything and anybody to get his way. Children are not exempt. He is using holding them hostage to move his twisted immigration policy. I hope the American attention span will be long enough to make sure every child is where he or she is supposed to be no matter how long the bureaucracy tries to discourage our due diligence.

American history has vivid examples of families, especially families of color, being torn apart, being caged and being terrorized and tortured.

Africans kidnapped from their homeland set the precedent for separating children from their parents. The practice of viciously and intentionally destroying black families went on for over 250 years—a long time to hone this country’s skills. The policy returned throughout history such as black men/fathers couldn’t live with their families in public housing. Or the zealous anti-black implementation of mass incarceration.

Native Americans suffered a similar fate with their families. Their children were given to white families because it was believed that their heathen parents were incapable of raising them. Japanese Americans, who like other nationalities, worked hard to prove their patriotism, were uprooted from their communities and basically held in concentration camps until the war against Japan was over.

Children, sweet but vulnerable, have once again moved our nation.

What most of the media seem not to focus on as much as the crying babies is that the conditions from which people are desperately fleeing are the result of U.S. foreign policy. These are not immigrants but refugees, fleeing for their lives from countries that are destabilized due to U.S. policy and intervention. Countries like Colombia, Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador have been torn asunder by military dictatorships supported by U.S. administrations. Add to the mix Americans’ insatiable appetite for drugs and U.S. collaborators (both corporate and government) fighting for their share of a multi-billions dollar drug market. The unfettered violence from turf wars have made innocent citizens collateral damage.

The Trump administration needs to be a target of a full-court press by all freedom-loving people. It has given us so many examples of how low it can go. The children have tugged at our heart strings enough to get temporary relief for their families, but they are not the only targets.

Those who are poor, Muslim, nonwhite, workers, independent thinkers are bigger targets. The Mueller investigation will not come soon enough. We must reclaim and protect the scattered remains of our democracy.

Jamala Rogers

ARCH

and is uncomfortable,” Jones said.

“This isn’t a do-over,” Gray said. “This is the first inclusive ribbon-cutting.” Representatives from the Asian, Muslim, AfricanAmerican and Hispanic communities were on hand to offer remarks.

Vin Ko, representing the Asian community, quoted African-American artist and activist De Nichols, saying, “This is about affirming that the Arch, the symbol for our city, is for all of us.” Jones called it “the people’s ribbon-cutting.”

“These renovations were bought and paid for by the people,” Jones said.

She also said that the July 3 photo is further proof of the need for change in the St. Louis region.

“We don’t need polite, incremental change. We need the kind of change that hurts –

STENGER

Continued from A1

Continued from A1 to interact with those who seek to represent our community in public office,” said David Dwight, who represents Forward Through Ferguson in SPEAC.

A selection of Mantovani’s answers (edited for space) follows.

How will you use the Ferguson Commission report to inform your administration’s strategies at each of the following levels: programmatic, policy, and systems?

Mark Mantovani: The Ferguson Commission has performed much of the research and community outreach necessary to activate equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives. While community conversation remains a necessity, the Ferguson

“The photo that was taken on Tuesday doesn’t look any different from the original Arch ribbon-cutting photo from 1965 – and that is unacceptable. We have been talking racial equity since Ferguson. We are standing in the shadow of the great Old Courthouse where Dred Scott argued for his freedom. Fifty-four years ago this week, the great Percy Green took a stand against the lack of diversity among the people building the Arch. How long are we going to stay the same?”

Some of the people who attended – and organized – the July 3 photo op also attended the inclusive ribboncutting. Eric Moraczewski, the executive director of the Gateway Arch Park Foundation, offered an apology.

Jennings Councilman Terry Wilson spoke on behalf of St. Louis County Councilwoman Hazel Erby. She sent a scathing

Commission’s excellent work should allow for quicker action. (This is one of the frustrations with the current St. Louis County administration – that despite the commission’s work, there has been scant progress on the policy initiatives recommended.) My plan would be to implement as many of the policies as are practicable based on community and County Council support, but I would prefer not to duplicate the research. Clearly, systems associated with program implementation would require more evaluation before committing to the appropriate approach. Of course, new systems would be initiated as necessary and appropriate. It’s also important to note that programmatic leadership and staff selection are crucial components to effective change. How will you holistically address public safety, and how will you pay for

rebuke of the apologies offered in the wake of the #ArchSoWhite controversy.

“Our reason for being here today is on behalf of the African-American community and all those underrepresented to reject the cynical PR stunt that’s being called an apology,” Wilson read from Erby’s statement. “This so-called apology isn’t even for us. It’s for the perpetrators to make

it?

How will you ensure community engagement is a central part of this process, including decisions about how Proposition P dollars will be spent?

Mantovani: Continued advanced training, uniformity and transparency are critical to improving the public’s trust and faith in our public safety officials. I will work with national and local expertise to identify best practices, improve recruitment and diversity, and work closely with the Council and communities to enhance the safety of our community. To this end, I would begin conversations related to the following: a greater commitment to community policing initiatives, evaluation of the quality of the leadership of St. Louis County’s law enforcement team, coordination and convening of policing conferences, implementation of a dashboard of outcomes so that the County Executive’s

them feel better about what happened here on July 3.”

She said an apology is offered when you accidentally bump into someone or step on their toe. This was not an accident, she said.

“So keep your apologies,” Erby stated. “We will not let you add insult to injury. But I am sorry. Sorry that when it comes to civic leadership, the event on July 3 is the best St.

Office can monitor criminal activity in real time, expansion of initiatives designed to enhance community/police dialogues and trust.

How would you work across County departments to prioritize the children, youth, and families of St. Louis?

First, meaningful interaction and communication with County department personnel and associated boards and commissions about the objectives of action is critical. While the County administration has provided lip service to the objectives of the Forward Through Ferguson Report in this respect, little real engagement and impact has been achieved.

Thirty-five percent of African American children in St. Louis County live in poverty, and yet a review of the status of the associated boards will demonstrate that numerous positions are either vacant or members are serving on

St. Louis Treasurer Tishaura Jones, Susan Saarinen (daughter of Gateway Arch designer Eero Saarinen, State Rep. Bruce Franks, and 1st District congressional candidate Cori Bush join hands on the scissors to snip during the “People’s ribbon-cutting” held Friday, July 6 at the Gateway Arch.

Louis can do.” Erby also thanked Franks for taking immediate action.

Cori Bush, who is challenging U.S. Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay in the August 7 Democratic primary, said the July 3 ribbon-cutting looked nothing like the region she calls home.

“This is what I see when I walk outside,” Bush told the diverse crowd. “This is what

ridiculously expired terms.

How can this be?

The disproportionate vulnerability of certain communities within St. Louis County makes this a matter of equity throughout our region.

How do you intend to use existing or future transportation infrastructure to build stronger, more equitable, and better connected communities across St. Louis County? (Please speak to transit, housing, and economic development.)

Mantovani: It is absolutely necessary to develop cohesive and strategic policy and programs connecting employers, employees and job seekers. Failure to deliver effective transportation options contributes materially to the cycle of poverty. The first thing required in this area is to deliver a safe rail system.

Since FY 2014, ridership on MetroLink has declined by 15 percent and riders acknowledge that safety is their foremost concern. Secondly, the community should engage more effectively with employers to facilitate effective transportation options. Longer term, the St. Louis metropolitan area should be evaluating advanced technologies for their potential to provide solutions.

How do you plan to address growing inequities in resource allocation, wealth accumulation, and opportunity due to the fragmented municipal structure?

Mantovani: Regional fragmentation certainly complicates our ability to

St. Louis is, not what we saw the other day. This is St. Louis, and this is what we celebrate.”

Alicia Hernandez spoke on behalf of the Latino community.

“It is important that black and brown communities have true representation to ensure we are given an equal part in the community that we helped build,” Hernandez said. “We find our voice in this continued conversation on racial equity through representation and opportunity and will continue to fight together toward a fair and equitable St. Louis.”

Farrakhan Shegog, an organizer of the event, was the afternoon’s final speaker – wearing a hard hat. “We all have to put our hard hats on and do the work to move St. Louis forward,” Shegog said. “We have to hold others accountable. If you are not about moving this city forward, then move out of the way so we can do it.”

serve the greater good, and the County is somewhat limited in its ability to fully address these disparities. In the meantime, however, there has to be recognition across the region that it can not achieve its potential if communities are left behind. Ultimately, this is one of the preeminent challenges of leadership – to speak to the fact that this is one community and that we are one people if we choose to be, separated by our fragmentation. I have already begun the process of reaching out to municipal leaders from across the region and offered to assist them in their local objectives, to act and deliver impact in their respective communities. I have proposed the establishment of an office of municipal affairs to allow the County to be supportive of local and neighborhood initiatives.

Finally, regional collaboration is not an option. It is a requirement.

SPEAC is comprised of the following organizations: Beyond Housing, Clark-Fox Policy Institute at Washington University in St. Louis, Community Builders Network of Metro St. Louis, St. Louis Equal Housing and Community Reinvestment Alliance, Forward Through Ferguson, FOCUS St. Louis, Generate Health, Ready by 21 St. Louis, Social Innovation St. Louis, St. Louis Area Foodbank, Trailnet, Vision for Children at Risk and Health Equity Works (formerly For the Sake of All).

Photo by Wiley Price

CEMETERY

Continued from A1

etery, said the bulldozers were hired by DDI Media, which owns part of the land where it controversially has erected billboards, and they were working only on their section of the land. DDI offered to reimburse the cost of the crushed gravestones, Bailey said.

“There was vegetative growth being extracted from the property and, unfortunately, some headstones were damaged in the process,” Bailey said. “The issue was brought to my attention along with a resolution. The company accepted full responsibility and are in the process of replacing every headstone disturbed and roughly 22 more that needed attention.”

For Brandon, that was not enough.

HYLTON

Continued from A1

“He was a good leader and very compassionate, a deep thinker,” said the Rev. Earl Nance, pastor of the Greater Mount Carmel Missionary Baptist Church and a more recent president of the Clergy Coalition.

“It was his leadership and steadfastness that created the foundation for the Coalition to remain viable for the last 30 years.”

Rev. Hylton – described by many as a humble, strong servant of God who “saw the good in everyone,” died July 4, 2018 at Missouri Baptist Medical Center of heart failure.

Visitation will be Friday evening, July 13, at Centennial Church. Services will be the following morning at the church.

Among Rev. Hylton’s visions was affordable housing for senior citizens, and he set about to make it happen.

Through his leadership, his church partnered with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the National Benevolent Association of the Christian Church (NBA) to develop three affordable senior housing facilities in St. Louis. The first was named Centennial Plaza; the other two were named in honor of Rev. Hylton: Hylton Point I and Hylton Point II Apartments.

“Buddy,” as his wife called him, applied his academic and ministerial training to help improve people’s lives.

He launched a youth retreat and a Head Start Program, partnered with the Delta Sigma Theta Literacy Center, and initiated a social service center that provides food, clothing and counseling to disadvantaged people. Centennial housed the city’s first interracial nursery.

In addition to his ministry and the Clergy Coalition, Rev. Hylton served the community through numerous affiliations, including the St. Louis Art Museum, Central Medical Center, the Interfaith Partnership, the Black Leadership Roundtable, the Veiled Prophet Fair Executive Committee, Southeast Missouri State University, CulverStockton College Board of Regents and the Mid-America Transplant Association.

Rev. Hylton, for whom education was paramount, was chair of the St. Louis Public School Task Force on Violence and co-chair of the School Tax Committee.

Rev. Nance credits Rev.

“This is further desecration,” Brandon said, “if our relatives’ headstones are being broken up. I don’t care if you’re replacing them, you shouldn’t be destroying them in the first

n “If our relatives’ headstones are being broken up. I don’t care if you’re replacing them, you shouldn’t be destroying them in the first place!”

– Wanda Brandon

place!” Over the past month, anger and confusion have been building among community activists around Washington Park Cemetery. It has been falling into disrepair since the 1980s

Hylton with getting Mayor Vincent Schoemehl to appoint him to an unexpired position on the St. Louis Public School Board, a move that helped oust a “white rights” school board faction and prepare slates for the next two elections.

“He lobbied Mayor Schoemehl hard on my behalf,” Rev. Nance said. “His educational background prompted him to do that.”

That background included earning a bachelor’s degree in History and Political Science from Morehouse College. His tenure at Morehouse overlapped with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In 1954, he received his master of Divinity Degree and was given an honorary doctor of Divinity Degree in1973, from Christian Theological Seminary. In 1978, Rev. Hylton was awarded a doctor of Ministry Degree from Eden Theological Seminary.

He later became an adjunct faculty member at WinstonSalem University, Saint Louis University and Eden Theological Seminary.

Hylton was a native of Roanoke, Virginia. He was born February 14, 1927, the eldest son of the late Rev. and Mrs. Samuel W. Hylton Sr.’s three children. He was baptized when he was nine years old.

His received early Christian training at Loudon Avenue Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Roanoke.

Rev. Hylton served as assistant pastor at Second Christian Church in Indianapolis and as pastor of Cleveland Avenue Christian Church, now named Greater Cleveland Avenue Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

In October of 1961, he arrived in St. Louis to begin his senior pastor position at Centennial Christian Church, 4950 Fountain Ave. With him was his wife, Mildred, and their son, Samuel III. Their daughter, Karen Elizabeth, was born soon after.

Rev. Hylton led Centennial for almost 36 years and then served as Centennial’s pastor emeritus and began working with the Christian Church Foundation.

He had been active at all levels of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and received numerous honors, including being named Omega Psi Phi’s Citizen of the Year and receiving the Alpha Kappa Alpha Lifetime Achievement Award, the NBA Pioneer for Affirmative Action Award and the Martin Luther King Drum Major Award.

and, in the words of many activists, has been “desecrated” by the placement of three billboards in a plot of land along the edge of the property owned by DDI Media since 1986.

Bailey purchased the bulk of the cemetery for a minimal price after it had fallen into disrepair under its previous ownership, but has not been able to raise the funds to restore much of the cemetery.

“We’re doing this to lift up our ancestors,” Brandon said of her efforts to remove the billboards and clean up the cemetery.

Aside from hosting days of cleaning around gravestones, pulling weeds, and underbrush removal, Brandon has been busy building her support base. Over the past month, she has visited both the St. Louis County Council and the Berkeley City Council.

Brandon’s goal is the removal of the billboards and

He was a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., the International Scholastic Honor Society of Theta Phi and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

Rev. Hylton traveled extensively throughout the United States and world. He was a member of the Christian Church delegation to Osaka and Kyoto, Japan; Kenya, Liberia, South Africa and Zaire. He was also honored to be a fraternal visitor to the Christian Churches in Jamaica.

“He loved Centennial Church and he loved his family,” said Rev. Nance.

Rev. Hylton was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Kenneth Niles Hylton Sr.

Among his survivors are his wife of 62 years, Mildred McLeod Hylton; a son, Samuel W. Hylton III, of Dallas, Texas; and a daughter, Karen Elizabeth Hylton, of St. Louis; three grandchildren, Sedric L. Hylton, Chastity E. Hylton and Chelsea E. Hylton, all of Dallas, and a sister, Janice Hylton Hale, of Roanoke, Virginia.

Visitation will be 5-8 p.m., Friday, July 13 at Centennial Christian Church, 4950 Fountain Ave. Services will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday, July 14, at the church.

beautification of the whole

cemetery. When she spoke before the Berkeley City Council, she said, “They wanted to know what is it that I wanted. They said, ‘So the bottom line is, you’re trying to get the billboards out of the cemetery?’ And I said yes.”

Thus far, DDI Media shows no sign of removing the billboards – despite the actions of some advertis-

ers, such as Maxine Clark of Blueprint4Summer, who expressed concern over the billboards’ location. However, one thing advertisers, cemetery owners, volunteers, and activists can agree on is that there is still much work to be done on the cemetery.

“I wish that Washington Park Cemetery could receive the attention, help and respect that other cemeteries receive,”

Bailey said in a statement to The American. “I wish that the people whose loved ones are interred at the cemetery [would] come forward and help.”

Contact Wanda Brandon at wanda_brandon@yahoo.com to help clean up the cemetery and advocate for removal of the billboards.

Ameren Donates 500 Energy Star AirConditioners ®

To help keep seniors, the physically disabled and low-income families safer from the heat this spring and summer, Ameren Missouri donated recently 500 window air conditioners to Cooldownstlouis.org, a regional not-for-profit public education and resource charity, and several other entities, which will distribute them to physically disabled and elderly Ameren Missouri customers throughout eastern Missouri. This is the 13th year that Ameren Missouri has sponsored the giveaway.

Ameren Missouri also donated to Cooldownstlouis.org supplemental utility funds in the amount of $200,000 for grants to qualified area residents at risk in the upcoming months.

Today Ameren volunteers, the St. Louis Fire Department, social service agencies, Cooldownstlouis officials and area TV meteorologists helped prepare the donated units for distribution, to an already large waiting list of qualified seniors and physically disabled clients.

“Cooldownstlouis.org again is working with Ameren Missouri to keep the most vulnerable individuals and families cool and healthy this summer,” said Michael Moehn, president of Ameren Missouri. “That’s why Ameren Missouri is pleased to donate 500 window air-conditioners to Cooldownstlouis.org as well as $200,000 to the charity to improve the safety for seniors, disabled and low-income customers.”

Moehn thanked area TV meteorologists for participating in this summer kickoff program, and further stressed that Ameren was pleased about the Coodownstlouis.org Check On Your Neighbor public awareness project, which it also sponsored their community outreach cooling cards that connect to area churches and social service organizations.TheAmeren’s Budget Billing Program, which the charity and advocacy group also endorsed, can take some heat off of some of the 1.2 million Ameren customer bills in communities throughout the state.

“The official start of summer is a few weeks away, but already many of our elderly and disabled neighbors across the bi-state area are suffering through some hot and humid conditions, without an A/C or utility service. This could become a life-threatening crisis. KSDK 5 On Your Side has been supportive of Cooldownstlouis.org since its inception 18 years ago,” said Craig Moeller, Chief Meteorologist, KSDK 5 OnYour Side. “We’re happy to use our forecasts to promote and alert our viewers of the important role this charity and their partners play, in keeping our community safe.And being on your side, means helping people during the extreme heat.”

TheairconditionersareENERGYSTAR®certified units that meet the strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental ProtectionAgency and Department of Energy.Theycostapproximately75centsper day to operate. Eligible recipients (seniors and people with physically disabilities only) will be selected by Cooldownstlouis.org and its partner agencies, which uses age and

certain medical circumstances to determine qualification for air conditioners. However, utility assistance this summer also is based also on income eligibility.

“Needy neighbors can always depend on Cooldownstlouis.org. It continues to be that regional safety net providing that essential clarion call for utility assistance, donated energy efficient air-conditioners and such community outreach projects, like Check On Your Neighbors,” said St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson, an honorary chair of Cooldownstlouis.org, representing other regional and state leaders. “I got to stress that government can’t do it all. While St. Louis City also partners with the regional charity, the reality is it takes a village to keep our seniors,thedisabledandlow-incomefamilies healthyandsafeeachsummerwithresources. I’m asking for the generosity of the public to join our village in trying to save lives; and give to Cooldownstlouis.org or donate a new or slightly used, working A/C through Vatterott.”

The annual giveaway, and summer roll out of the Cooldownstlouis.org S.O.S. (Save Our Senior) campaign is supported by Michael Moehn, president/CEO of Ameren Missouri; St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson; St. Louis Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson, who also represents the Greater St. Louis Area Fire Chiefs Association; Rev. Earl E. Nance, Jr., Cooldownstlouis.org board emeritus; and Michael P. McMillan, president/CEO, Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis; Rene Crosswhite, president/CEO of Vatterott Colleges; popular television meteorologists, Chris Higgins, FOX2/KPLR 11; KMOV’s Kent Ehrhardt and KSDK’s 5 On Your Side Craig Moeller, Scott Connell, Chester Lampkin and Jessica Quick; and Melanie DiLeo, board chairwoman, Cooldownstlouis.org.

“One of the greatest fears that our highly trained EMS crew and firefighters have is during summer months, when we arrive to an apartment or home emergency, they’re going to discover a deceased senior or physicallydisabledperson,withafanjustblowing. Most area fire chiefs consider these donated AmerenA/Cs,andthosebeingdonatedbythe public at any Vatterott, a life-preserver,” said Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson, Fire ChiefsAssociationofGreaterSt.Louis,co-chairHealth & Safety Committee, Cooldownstlouis.org. “Ameren, Vatterott, and the incredible St. Louis meteorologists – can’t do it alone. We need the public’s generosity by going online to Cooldownstlouis.org.” Chief Jenkerson stressed don’t forget to physically check on your own seniors and disabled relatives, and make sure their A/C is on and working in days like these.”

If a senior or person with physical disabilities needs assistance, please visit the Cooldownstlouis.org website or call the organization’s automated senior hotline at 1314-241-7668. Funds are available on a firstcome basis to those who qualify. The public can

or

Ameren Missouri’s President and Chairman Michael Moehn with Cooldownstlouis.org chair Melanie DiLeo.

St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson, Honorary Co-Chair with Board member St. Louis Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson encourages the public to check on their elderly neighbors.

KMOV, TV 4 news meteorologist Kent Ehrhardt with St. Louis Firefighters, Ameren volunteers and Jefferson County’s Health Department loading up donated new A/Cs.

KSDK 5, News On Your Side meteorologists Chester Lampkin, (Rev. Earl E. Nance, Jr.), Craig Moeller; Jessica Quick and Scott Connell with Ameren MO’s President Michael Moehn, and Cooldownsltouis.org Melanie DiLeo with a $200,000 donation.

Fox2’s Meteorologist Chris Higgins loads up an Ameren donated A/C headed for CAASTLC.

KSDK 5, News On Your Side Meteorologist Chester Lampkin does heavy lifting.

Salvation Army’s Kim Beck snags A/Cs donated to Cooldownstlouis.org by Ameren Missouri

Michael P. McMillan, executive boardmember,Cooldownstlouis.org and President/CEO of the Urban League of Metro St. Louis lifts an Ameren donated A/C to his agency.

go towards servicing the qualified needy Missouri and Illinois neighbors.

“Summer time weather has arrived early in St. Louis and we all know it can be downright dangerous at times, especially for those who are most vulnerable. Many seniors, the physically disabled and small sick infants can easily fall victim to heatrelated illnesses, if they do not have a functioning A/C or their utilities have been disconnected,” said Chris Higgins, Meteorologist, FOX2/KPLR 11. For 18 years, FOX2 and KPLR 11 have been working alongside Cooldownstlouis.org to echo its public education message to check on your neighbors; while also appealing for donations. Today’s generous gift of hundreds of A/C units and a huge cash donation by Ameren will help keep the most vulnerable of our community cool and safe this summer.”

Along with making a donation valued at about $100,000 in 500 energy efficient window units, and $200,000 in utility assistance, Ameren Missouri also provided critically important maintenance instructions, a registry application for elderly and disabled customers with each unit, including Cooldownstlouis.org cooling tips and outreach assistance cards.

“That old saying that the St. Louis region’s weather is unpredictable often rings true. During the dangerously turbulent springandsummerweatherKMOVandthe 4Warn Storm team bring extensive years of meteorology expertise, so that our warnings inform the viewers, so that they can prepare themselves. And having partners like Cooldownstlouis.org with additional resources when the sun can actually fry an egg on a side walk is critically important,” said Meteorologist, Kent Ehrhardt, KMOV, Channel 4. “The volunteer charity provides year-around utility assistance in about 15 Missouri and Illinois counties with its many consortium partners. Today Ameren has come on board as a good neighbor in an effort to keep area seniors and the disabled neighbors alive, healthy and connected.”

As part of the Cooldownstlouis.org S.O.S. project, officials are reminding other area corporations and the public that they too can donate a new or slightly used air conditioner (no less than two years old) to the regional charity by dropping off a unit at any Vatterott College campus for a tax deduction. More information and locations are available at Cooldownstlouis.org.

“Each summer, our St. Louis Vatterott campuses look forward to the public’s generosity and partnering with Cooldownstlouis.org. Today, we congratulate Ameren on its significant donation of 500 Energy Star A/C units to kick-off the Save Our Seniors campaign,” said Rene Crosswhite, president/CEO of Vatterott. “So many of our neighbors throughout the bi-state area cannot afford to purchase an A/C unit. A working A/C window unit is a vital and essential lifeline in maintaining health and safety during hot summer days and we at Vatterott are so grateful for the

opportunity to give back to our community.”

The Clergy Coalition of Metropolitan St. Louis; City/County human services, area fire departments and health departments have been asked to distribute informational cooling card tips to thousands of area residentswhoarealsoseekingutilityassistance, as part of the S.O.S. outreach.

“I always like to stress that it takes a village of all-types of resources to keep the hundredsamonghundredsofseniors,physicallydisabledandneedyfamilieswithsmall sickinfantscool,healthyandsafeeachsummer,” said Michael P. McMillan, President and CEO, Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, Inc. “The Cooldownstlouis.org/ Ameren partnership is a dynamic force that continues to benefit many who are making tough financial choices in the heat of the day, and the heat of the night, and the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis is a proud partner of their efforts, and we’re speaking also for other social service partners in Missouri and Illinois.”

Last year, Cooldownstlouis.org distributed about 1,000 donated air conditioners thanks to Ameren Missouri and the public through Vatterott, etc. Since its inception however, the all-volunteer summer charity has distributed more than 12,500 units.

“There are people throughout the St. Louis region who can’t — they can’t pay for the medication, rent, transportation, and yes not even basic groceries. And even though Ameren’s utility rates are considered some of the most affordable in the Midwest, many seniors and physically disabled neighbors refuse to turn on their air-conditioners, and they are the ones who get nervous, and those are primarily the lives we try to save, during our often hot, humid and potentially deadly summers,” said Melanie DiLeo, board chairwoman, Cooldownstlouis.org. So, we encourage you to KEEPON THEAIR.”

Along with promoting heat safety and the importance of running an air conditioner during the hot summer months, Ameren Missouri invites customers to learn about its energy efficiency programs, which offer rebates to replace inefficient air conditioner units and a variety of other programs that help customers save energy and money. More information is available atAmerenMissouri.com/rebates.

“We’re appealing to adults, to remind them, who are taking care of their older relatives, or a neighbor, please check on them to see if the air-conditioner is on and working. Make sure they maintain their units by cleaning out the filters for them,” said Rev. Earl E. Nance, Jr., chair emeritus. “So, your utility bills don’t necessarily sizzle, we highly recommend Ameren Budget Billing plan. Even if an elderly person thinks they can’t pay an Ameren bill this summer, contact us, but keep the air conditioners on. We’reproudtodistributethesegiftsoflives, so seniors and physically disabled qualified residents can have a cool, pleasurable and safe summer.”

Derrick Martin, President/St. Louis Region, I-Heart Media accepts his Hardee’s Rollin in the Dough award. The Rise

‘N Shine for Heat campaign raised more than $400,000.

AMEREN ASSISTANCE, from A8

Rev. Earl E. Nance, Jr., acceptsAmeren’s Charitable Trust grant of $100,000 from new board member, D-Loria Newsome-Pitts, Manager, Corporate Donations & Initiatives, Ameren Corp; Brian Leonard, Senior Director, Ameren Illinois and Connie Taylor, Customer Experience, Ameren MO.

Board Vice Chair Dr. James Knight honored with

Lifetime Achievement with Rev. Earl E. Nance, Jr., President-elect Denise Liebel and Honorary co-chair, St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann

Newly elected Heatupstlouis.org board member Bishop Elijah Hankerson, president, St. Louis Metropolitan Clergy Coalition; Chair Emeritus Rev. Earl E. Nance, Jr.; Laurie and Tom Trotter, St. Louis Hardee’s franchisees, also on the board.

Captains Leon Whitener and Garon Mosby receive Torch of Safety Award from Heatupstlouis.org

members, Chief Dennis Jenkerson and MO Public Safety Deputy Director Gregg Favre.

Maida Coleman with board members Melanie DiLeo; Pamela R. Walker (President);

Heatupstlouis.org

members Michael P. McMillan, President/CEO, Urban League; Randy Weller, Citi and former Mayor, Attorney Francis Slay.

Black community leaders respond to #ArchSoWhite

Minutes before photographers took the nowiconic picture of about 21 white people cutting a green ribbon in front of the St. Louis Gateway Arch, African-American photographer Maurice Meredith asked, “Why isn’t Ozzie Smith in the picture?”

The black Cardinals Hall of Famer had emceed the ceremony. A few people looked briefly at Meredith, but then continued lining people up for the shot. What Meredith said he was really thinking was: Where are all the black folks?

“It didn’t make any sense to me,” said Meredith, a longtime freelance photographer for The St. Louis American. “But it seemed like they had made up their minds who was going to stand up there.”

On July 3, more than 20 people were chosen to ceremoniously cut the ribbon at the grand opening of the new Arch museum – marking the near completion of the $380 million Arch renovation project after more than a decade of planning. Yet there wasn’t a single African American or person of color in that lineup.

Several black elected officials – including Comptroller Darlene Green, Treasurer Tishaura Jones and President of the Board of Aldermen Lewis Reed – said they weren’t invited to participate in the ribbon cutting.

U.S. Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay (D-St. Louis) was invited but had already scheduled a vacation with his son.

State Rep. Bruce Franks (D-St. Louis), who represents the Arch area, said he first noticed the lack of inclusion when Mayor Lyda Krewson tweeted out the photo, praising the region for working together on creating this “amazing attraction.”

“My initial reaction was #ArchSoWhite,” said Franks, who also failed to get an invite to stand up for the picture.

“It didn’t matter who put the event together. This is the representation that you show, especially when we talk about what the Arch is supposed to represent? Not only do you not have any black folks, you don’t have any of anybody out there.”

Franks’ hashtag went viral. In response, he and a group of other elected officials and community organizers put

together their own ribbon cutting on Friday, July 6 that looked “more like St. Louis,” he said.

“You almost get tired of the word ‘inclusive’ because it should be what it is,” Franks said. “We shouldn’t have to fight to be more inclusive. Why aren’t we just that? Let’s take the picture that shows we can come together and make sure this Arch represents what we need it to represent.”

For people of color, the photo doesn’t scream, “We’re welcome here,” he said.

The Gateway Arch Park Foundation issued an apology on Facebook that stated in its entirety: “The grand opening of the new Museum at the Gateway Arch was an opportunity to celebrate an important achievement in St. Louis. As organizers of the event, we acknowledge that our ribbon cutting did not reflect the diversity of our community for that and for any hurt it has caused we are sorry. The Arch is a symbol of St. Louis and the Gateway Arch Park Foundation is committed to doing better to represent the people of our great city.”

The foundation also reached out to Franks to support his counter event, which included representation from the black, Bosnian, Hispanic, indigenous, and LGBTQ+ communities, among others.

Tishaura Jones helped Franks plan the event and also discussed the matter with the foundation’s executive director.

“Going forward I would really ask our leaders to not leave their racial equity lens at home,” Jones said. “We continue to talk about racial equity, and this was a prime opportunity – a public space paid for with public dollars –and it wasn’t representative of the public.”

When looking at racial equity, Jones said the two basic questions leaders should ask are: Who is not in the room and who is not at the table?

Tom Shepard, Reed’s chief of staff, shared the same frustration.

“Being oblivious to the issue with optics that picture would present should be almost impossible in a predominantly African-American city in 2018,” Shepard stated in an email. “I believe an even bigger

Photo by Maurice Meredith

issue is that the picture is very telling of who organized, controlled and made decisions regarding this $400+ million public project.”

In fact, St. Louis is now a plurality-black city – there are more blacks in the city than any other racial group, but blacks are no longer a majority of city residents.

Shepard said the more pervasive issue is that African Americans have to be invited but are seldom the ones placed in the roles that lead these projects and do the inviting.

Jones said that she and other African Americans were at the table during the decision making, but you couldn’t see it from that picture. Jones worked to ensure that parking standards met federal guidelines, in a process that took about a year to coordinate, she said. She also supported the project years ago as a state legislator and supported the proposition that raised the sales tax revenue for the Arch renovation.

Voters – including a critical number of black voters –approved Prop P in 2013, and that secured about $85 million of public funds for the Arch

project. Private funds paid for about $217 million of the project’s cost. About $67.5 million came from federal and state funds, with a small amount of local funds. The National Park Service chipped in $10 million of in-kind funding.

A Clay staffer said the congressman co-sponsored legislation that secured the federal dollars for the project. In a statement, Clay said, “The failure by the event organizers to incorporate our community’s diverse strength into the ribbon cutting was a self-inflicted, insensitive, unacceptable failure.”

Cori Bush, who is challenging Clay in the August 7 Democratic primary and helped to organize the counter event, said that “representation matters.”

“What do our youth see?” Bush asked. “This is the Gateway to the West. Are we showing our youth that they’re included? That they have a place in St. Louis? I would say, ‘No.’ It’s not about the elite; it’s about all the people.”

Minority exclusion

On July 14, 1964, Percy Green II and a white college student, Richard Daly, climbed up a ladder that was meant for the workers during the initial building of the Arch. They climbed to about 125 feet high and then stayed up there for five hours as an act of civil disobedience.

Their goal was to make the community aware that no African-American workers or contractors were hired for the Arch project. Green’s actions led to more minorities being employed on the Arch project then and now decades later.

The renovation projects were following federal guidelines – which are significantly lower and less robust than St. Louis city’s goals. The federal government aims to give 14.7 percent of workforce hours to minority workers and 6.9 percent to women – rather than the goals for 25 percent minority and 5 percent women that the city had operated on under the mayor’s executive order.

On the Central Riverfront portion of the Mississippi Greenway near the Arch, minorities workers made up 14.4 percent of the workforce hours. That is just shy of the 14.7 percent federal goal. But about 33 percent of contracts were awarded to minority

businesses. Kiener Plaza’s minority workforce was 25 percent, and 33 percent of the contracts went to minority businesses. The goals for female workers and businesses fell short on all aspects except for the greenway’s contracting, which was 18 percent.

A Great Rivers Greenway spokeswoman said that she was waiting to hear from their partners, including the federal government and Missouri Department of Transportation, on their inclusion numbers. Many thought that Percy Green II should have been standing up in the line of 20 people at the ribbon cutting. When Green saw the picture this week, he said his first reaction was, “Racism is alive and well, may it be conscious or unconscious.”

Green doesn’t think this incident needs to be discouraging, as long as there is an immediate direct-action protest in response to the behavior.

“It only shows that fighting racism is a 24/7 responsibility,” Green said. “And one has to constantly be observative of the subtleties of racism. We have to keep our eyes on the ball because when we respond to the subtleties of racism, then it makes it more difficult for the decision makers to be overt in their decision making.”

St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson said the Gateway Arch and its renovation were “perfect examples” of working together when tweeting a photo of an all-white group cutting the ribbon to symbolize the completion of the project. St. Louis has a plurality of black residents.

Clean Sweep brings Northside unity

Better Family Life, Regional Business Council, contractors sweep Jeff-Vander-Lou neighborhood clean

By Ashley Jones

The St. Louis American

For

Better Family Life and the Regional Business Council (RBC) continued their summerlong Clean Sweep initiative on June 30, demolishing abandoned homes, cutting down dead trees and cleaning up rubbish in the Jeff-Vander-Lou neighborhood.

Hundreds of volunteers from the community participated, along with professionals donated by courtesy of RBC member McCarthy Building Companies.

“We are always humbled by the level of passion that people bring to Clean Sweep, and it is like pent-up passion that people were just waiting to pore out,” said James Clark, Better Family Life vice president of community outreach.

“We see Clean Sweep challenging St .Louis to recognize that we got to prioritize the conditions in our more challenged neighborhoods, and the response has been nothing short of miraculous.”

For the second consecutive month, a team of 50 McCarthy volunteers cleaned up the neighborhood with more than 60 pieces of construction equipment.

“I don’t think I’ve sweat that much in years,” said President and COO of McCarthy Building Companies, Scott Wittkop. “It was about 95 degrees out there and we had about 50 of us out there from seven to noon.”

Started in 2017, Clean Sweep has expanded this year with millions of dollars’ worth of labor, equipment and time being donated for free to address one of the city’s most pressing issues: the physical conditions and environment of neighborhoods

“Chief Hayden and Judge Edwards have been very clear that they can do their role in terms of enforcement, but they need the business community to do their role in terms of prevention, and we feel like this is all part of prevention,” said President and CEO of the Regional Business Council, Kathy Osborn.

The Clean Sweep day of community service started at 6:30am with registration where they gathered at Thessalonians Church on 1523 Webster Ave. before being transported to their staging areas. Clark intentionally wanted to bring people to the Church for a reason.

“We believe we’ve got to begin to make the church a focus in our neighborhoods once again, so we had the registration take place there, and we opened with prayer,” Clark

said.

They then transported the volunteers to their worksite, one of which was at the intersection of Vandeventer and Labadie in the middle of an open air drug market.

“We were very intentional that we wanted to take Clean Sweep where the prostitutes walked. We wanted to take Clean Sweep where the drug addicts sit on the front porches because we wanted to involve them in this energy,” Clark said.

Starting at 9am the volunteers got their protective gear and tools to begin raking alleys, cleaning out gangways, and pulling weeds.

“We took our one building down, our home that was abandoned, and then we had probably another city block or call it eight or 10 lots that we cleaned the outside,” Wittkop said.

“Cut a bunch of trees down, took some fences out, tore some porches off the front of homes that were falling apart so that the city can come through today and board them up.”

The Urban League was there passing out water and Gatorade through the Save Our Sons program. The St. Louis city fire

n Operation Clean Sweep 2018 will continue with cleanups scheduled on July 28th, in the Penrose and Kingsbury neighborhoods, and on August 25th in Walnut Park.

department was there going through checking people’s smoke detectors. The City of St. Louis lead department was there going door to door searching people’s houses for lead.

“Everyone could feel that what they were doing was historic,” Clark said. “Everyone had a strong sense of ‘this feels right, this is what St. Louis needs’ because these are the areas that we hear about on the news, and we have never been invited to make them better.”

Clean Sweep operations shut down early close to noon due to the heat.

“We got done everything that we had set out to do. In fact we actually added a couple of additional lots of clean up just to make sure we had enough to keep everybody busy,” Wittkop said. “Really by 11 or 11:30 we were in a good place as far as accomplishing everything we wanted to, and the heat was to the point where I was afraid if we started something new people weren’t going to come out of it well.”

Last month, the RBC and Better Family Life coordinated over 500 volunteers and the demolition of several vacant buildings in the Hamilton

Heights and Wells-Goodfellow neighborhoods.

“It’s a very spirit charged event that is really becoming very organic in its nature,” Clark said. “It only spawns new ideas. It really demonstrates an opportunity to have real racial dialogue, and to have a focus on how do we build the spirit of racial cohesion.”

Operation Clean Sweep 2018 will continue with cleanups scheduled on July 28th, in the Penrose and Kingsbury neighborhoods, and on August 25th in Walnut Park.

“We want to encourage our brothers and sisters who have achieved higher education, come back,” Clark said. “Now is the time to come back. Do the community service, and let the young men and woman in these neighborhoods see you and feel you.”

One of several abandoned homes torn down June 30 during this summer’s Clean Sweep initiative

ESL pension funds on brink of insolvency

East St. Louis has one of the highest crime rates in the nation, some of the most fireprone and dilapidated habitats imaginable, and is one of Illinois’ poorest communities, with nearly 45 percent of its residents living below the poverty line.

So the last thing East Boogie needs are firefighters and a police force who feel stressed, insecure and anxious about their retirement pensions. But that is exactly the case.

In fact, according to a 2017 biennial report by the Illinois

fighting to set up shop in the city and tax revenues from the Casino Queen, which accounts for roughly 43 percent of ESL’s operating budget, are down.

Department of Insurance (DOI), the city’s police pension fund is only 38 percent funded, while the fire pension fund has only 13 cents available for every dollar owed in future benefits. We’re talking virtual insolvency, folks. That is because the city has fallen short of its required contribution, to the tune of 74 percent for the fire pension and 66 percent for the police pension fund, according to Wirepoints analysis. And there’s no easy fix in sight. Businesses aren’t exactly

This could potentially lead to revenue garnishment from the state’s comptroller’s office, similar to what happened to Harvey, Illinois, in which tax revenues were intercepted and rerouted to pension funds, resulting in massive layoffs of police and firefighters.

As a result, this issue will be front and center in East Boogie’s mayoral race in 2019.

Mayor Emeka Jackson-Hicks and challengers councilman Robert Eastern III and former

mayor Carl E. Officer must grapple with this among other hot-button issues, including a change of government referendum on the ballot this November 6. ESL currently has a council-manager form of government, in which the city manager (at a salary of $100,000-plus) handles the day-to-day management of city business, while the mayor (at $50,000 per year) leads in a titular capacity.

The referendum will essentially ask voters if they should return to a “strong mayor” form of government, thus eliminating the city manager position and granting management of day-to-day

operations to the mayor.

One would think that, in a poor city, this would be a no-brainer and that the $100,000 savings from the elimination of the city manager could be put to better use (like city services or pension funding).

And while they’re at it, how about eliminating the $500,000 per-year wasted on funding the ESL board of elections and allow St. Clair County to absorb that function, placing another half million into East Boogie’s budget for more essential services or, again, to shore-up the police and fire pensions?

Makes a world of sense, doesn’t it? Now look at it through the prism of an opportunistic political structure which has little to no interest in practicality, cost effectiveness or serving the public. No, true “public serpents” are only concerned with their own selfish interests, profiteering from the ensuing chaos and spinning the negative reality as if they were actually doing the voters a favor. The winner of the next ESL mayor’s race may well be determined by who effectively addresses these issues with a viable solution versus more rhetoric, posturing and deceptive politics. As always, I’ll be watching and keeping you informed of the outcome.

Email: jtingram_1960@ yahoo.com; Twitter@ JamesTIngram.

STLCC reduces tuition by 5 percent

St. Louis Community College is reducing tuition by five percent to benefit its students in the coming academic year. The lower tuition may save students approximately $1.7 million, based on projected credit-hour enrollment.

The change is due in large part to Missouri House Bill 2003. The bill includes an emphasis on workforce development and $2 million for SkillUP, a program for SNAP recipients in Missouri that provides opportunities for education, job search training, workbased learning and vocational training.

“On behalf of the students of St. Louis Community College,

I want to personally thank the state legislature and Gov. Parson for valuing the importance of higher education,” said Jeff L. Pittman, chancellor.

“Based on their actions to restore the initial cuts, the STLCC Board of Trustees authorized a potential reduction in tuition, effective immediately for 2018-2019, depending upon on the outcome of the state budget.

“Ultimately, our students are the beneficiaries of bipartisan leadership by the legislature and Gov. Parson,” continued Pittman.

At its March 2018 meeting, the Board of Trustees approved a five-percent increase to maintenance fees in response to a recommended decrease in state appropriations by then- Gov. Eric Greitens. At that time, the trustees authorized that “due to uncertainties inherent in the state budget process, the chancellor be authorized to reduce the fees to the fall 2017 amounts, if feasible…” STLCC students who have already registered for fall 2018 were billed at the increased rate. STLCC will reassess the fees at the lower rate to reflect the reduction. A credit will be made to students’ accounts. Any student who has paid in full will be refunded the amount of overpayment.

Expert health care. No matter what.

Planned Parenthood is Missouri’s leading provider of sexual and reproductive health care, from wellness exams to birth control to STD testing and treatment.

Weaponizing children to deter immigrants seeking asylum is inhumane

By Marc H. Morial National Urban League

“The new policy is the latest example of harmful actions by the Department of Homeland Security against immigrant families, hindering their right to seek asylum in our country and denying parents the right to remain with their children. We can and must do better for these families. We can and must remember that immigrant children are still children; they need our protection, not prosecution.” – American Academy of Pediatrics, Statement Opposing Separation of Children and Parents at the Border, May 8, 2018

I am the lucky father of three beautiful children. It has been my life’s work and great pleasure to play a part in their development into keen, compassionate and successful individuals. And but for the “right” documents and legal status, Marco Antonio Muñoz and his wife could have experienced that same, singular joy of parenthood.

Instead, Mr. Muñoz, a Honduran father who came here seeking asylum as he crossed the Rio Grande with his wife and three-year-old son, was taken into custody and separated from his small family. According to news reports, “they had to use physical force to take the child out of his hands.” After a night in the Starr County Jail, guards found Mr. Muñoz lying on the floor of his jail cell, unresponsive. The deputy’s office reported his death as a “suicide in custody.”

The inhumane separation of desperate families risking

their lives to reach and cross our southwest border is neither arbitrary nor aligned with our nation’s core, espoused values on the sanctity of family. As of May of this year – this is America – and is formal American policy enforced by the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security, also known as the Trump administration’s zero-tolerance policy.

Previously, adults apprehended at the border would be charged in civil court, detained in immigration facilities and potentially face deportation back to their country of origin, unless they qualified for asylum. The new policy prosecutes adults caught crossing the border as felons in criminal court, including those who qualify for asylum. Felony criminal charges send these adults to prison, and for those who crossed with their children, it triggers the tragically common forced family separations. This new, vicious twist in the Trump administration’s immigration policy is abysmal, ahistorical and abhorrent.

Staying true to his campaign promises, Trump has doubled down on immigration in all of its forms, particularly from origin countries of color. The zero-tolerance strategy follows a litany of actions and policies – such as the decision to end DACA and protect Dreamers

from deportation, reducing the numbers of refugees accepted into the country, and ending temporary protected status for Haitians and Hondurans – intended to punish those deemed unfit or undesirable, purge our communities and narrow legitimate avenues of settlement and entry into the United States.

But the last time I checked, our nation was in the business of welcoming those seeking to better their lives, not weaponizing their children as deterrents to economic opportunity (that benefits all) and an escape from violence, chaos or natural disaster.

It is no small irony that the party that has traditionally monopolized the “familyvalues” moniker is the very same one orchestrating this now-daily trauma at our U.S./ Mexico border. Heart-breaking stories, like the story of Mr. Muñoz, are not accidental, they are the byproduct of an inhumane, anti-family, valuedeficient policy – and there are many more stories in the vein of Mr. Muñoz’s story to tell.

The National Urban League joined forces with sister civil rights organizations to call for an end to family separation. If you agree that destroying families should not be a priority of the government that represents you, get angry, get engaged – tracking the votes of your representatives on the issue of family separation and comprehensive immigration reform, and be sure to hug your loved ones a little tighter.

Marc H. Morial is president and CEO of the National Urban League.

Guest Columnist

Marc H. Morial

On June 30, Rev. Larry Rice and the New Life Evangelistic Center‘s

homeless people with a wide variety of services to help them cope with

New Life continues to serve the homeless

Rev. Larry Rice: ‘We need people to pray for us’

By Ashley Jones For The St.

Louis

American

At a press conference held in front of 1411 Locust St. in St. Louis on Saturday, June 30, Rev. Larry Rice and the New Life Evangelistic Center ‘s homeless first responders assisted a large number of homeless people with a wide variety of services to help them cope with the heat and meet other needs in their life.

“Jesus said, Matthew 8:20, ‘Fox have holes, birds have nests, but the Son of man has nowhere to lay his head,’” Rice said. “That’s why we have a Jesus statue here that doesn’t have a face on it because, if you want to see the face of Jesus, look at the face of the

n “We got to be church, and that means going out among the homeless and doing what Christ told us to do.”

entertain ourselves by going to just church,” Rice said. “We got to be church, and that means going out among the homeless and doing what Christ told us to do.”

The press conference also highlighted the present impact that closing New Life’s open-doors shelter at 1411 Locust has had on the homeless and the critical need to reopen this facility, particularly in light of the city’s problems finding a facilitator to operate the Biddle House.

People today face different stressors than that of older generations

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), in almost every state, suicide rates are on the rise. Nearly 45,000 people, ages 10 and over, committed suicide in 2016. Each year about 500,000 people are treated in emergency rooms secondary to self-inflicted injuries. With the recent back-to-back deaths of prominent celebrities such as Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain, the discussions around suicide, suicide prevention and even media coverage of suicide have reached a new level of urgency. People are asking “Why did this happen?” and “Could this outcome have been avoided?”

For many years, mental illness discussion, especially in the black community, has been considered taboo. No one wanted to bring it up and no one would ever suggest that a family member needed to take medication or see a psychiatrist. We’ve all experienced the hushed whispers at gatherings, but deep within we knew more needed to be done to help that particular loved one.

homeless.”

The statue in front of 1411 Locust is interpreted as Jesus because the figure has nail holes in his feet.

“We can’t just be hearers of the word and

New Life says it is presently costing taxpayers over $900,000 a year to provide basic services at Biddle House. This facility provides just part of the services New

– Rev. Larry Rice See NEW LIFE, A15

Back-to-school immunizations available in Saint Louis County health centers

As the new school year quickly approaches, the Saint Louis County Department of Public Health is encouraging parents to take care of back-to-school immunizations early. Immunizations are important in maintaining individual health as well as the health of other students and the community as a whole.

The Saint Louis County Department of Public Health is making changes and additions this back-to-school season, to better serve health center patients. Some of these changes include offering immunizations on a walk-in basis at all three of our sites Monday through Friday, from 8:30 to10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.to 3 p.m. Its clinics are closed for trainings the first Friday of each month, unless

n Immunizations will be offered on a walk-in basis at all three of our sites Monday through Friday, from 8:30 to10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

otherwise indicated. Immunizations will be offered on Friday, August 3 at all three clinic sites from 9 a.m. until Noon and again from 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Patients are encouraged to bring immunization records. It is also helpful if school

nurses are able to provide documentation of immunizations needed whenever possible. Patients who wish to be exempt from immunizations are encouraged to contact the Bureau of Immunizations with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services to obtain immunization exemption forms. For any questions or concerns, contact any of the health department’s community health centers: North Central Community Health Center at (314) 615-9700; John C. Murphy Health Center at (314) 615-0500; or the South County Health Center at (314) 615-0400.

n We each have a responsibility to ensure the safety of our community. Our young people are experiencing a different set of stressors that older generations did not have to endure.

Though I am saddened by this increase in suicide rates, I am encouraged by the additional attention it is bringing to mental health. There seems to be a heightened sense of awareness, particularly around social media. Students, teachers and friends are finally taking Facebook and Twitter posts seriously. “I hate my life!” may seem like an innocent rant to you but statements like that are generally the tip of the iceberg as it relates to that individual’s state of mind. We each have a responsibility to ensure the safety of our community. Our young people are experiencing a different set of stressors that older generations did not have to endure. We did not have mini-computers in our hands and our televisions literally cut off at midnight. Does anyone remember that? The 24-hour news cycle that we are in now constantly bombards us with violence, bickering among politicians and natural disasters. When was the last time you were able to watch an entire day of television without hearing negative news?

However, as we have seen recently, depression does not discriminate as it relates to age, gender, or ethnicity. Bullying, financial hardships, marital discord, and work tension are all contributors to feelings of depression and stress. If left unchecked, these problems could escalate depressive symptoms and lead to suicide. Therefore, it is so important to recognize the warning signs.

1. Isolation- Anytime you notice that someone is no longer wanting to be social and is choosing to stay locked up in their rooms. Think depression.

2. Mood changes- All of a sudden, did your teen start wearing black everyday or did they become increasingly irritable with everybody in the house? Think depression.

Anderson, MD

Photo by Wiley Price

‘Breastfeeding is the best gift a mother can give her child’

UNICEF

reports that 7.6 million babies each year are not breastfed

UNICEF

The number of babies missing out on breastfeeding remains high, particularly among the world’s richest countries, UNICEF said in a new analysis. Worldwide, approximately 7.6 million babies each year are not breastfed.

The analysis indicates that even though breast milk saves lives, protects babies and mothers against deadly diseases, and leads to better IQ and educational outcomes, an estimated 21 per cent of babies in high-income countries are never breastfed. In low-andmiddle-income countries, the rate is 4 per cent.

“Breastfeeding is the best gift a mother, rich or poor, can give her child, as well as herself,” said Shahida Azfar, UNICEF’s deputy executive director.

“We must give the world’s mothers the support they need to breastfeed.”

Central Africa and in Latin America and the Caribbean, where babies from the poorest families have breastfeeding rates at 2 years that are nearly double those from wealthier families.

“We know that wealthy mothers in poor countries are less likely to breastfeed, but somewhat paradoxically, we’re seeing indications that in wealthy countries, it’s the poor who are the least likely,” said Shahida Azfar, UNICEF’s deputy executive director. “These breastfeeding gaps across income levels are a strong indication that countries, regardless of the level of wealth, are not informing and empowering every mother to breastfeed her baby.”

n The United States alone accounts for more than one-third of the 2.6 million babies in high-income countries who were never breastfed.

The analysis notes that babies are much more likely to be breastfed at least once in lowand-middle-income countries like Bhutan (99 percent), Madagascar (99 percent) and Peru (99 percent) than those born in Ireland (55 percent) the United States (74 percent) or Spain (77 percent). The United States alone accounts for more than one-third of the 2.6 million babies in high-income countries who were never breastfed.

However, within low- andmiddle-income countries, wealth disparities affect how long a mother will continue to breastfeed her child, the data show. Babies from the poorest families have rates for breastfeeding at 2 years that are 1.5 times higher than those from the richest families. The gaps are widest in West and

NEW LIFE

Continued from A14

Life made available at 1411 Locust at no expense to taxpayers.

New Life provided an open-doors walk-in shelter that provided homeless people with a place to take a nap, a place store their belongings, laundry service, meals, showers, resources and more. It still operates a day center in Springfield, Missouri that serves 150 to 250 homeless people a day.

“All these different services in Springfield, but here in St. Louis when we try to do it, we are up against gentrification,” Rice said.

Rice claims that the “rich folk” in the Terra Cotta Lofts that neighbor New Life gathered people with materialistic interests who were intent to shutter the center to keep homeless people away from their lofts. Ultimately, the Board of Public Service appointed by Mayor Francis G. Slay voted to close the shelter.

ANDERSON

Continued from A14

Factors leading to higher breastfeeding rates vary. Countries like India and Vietnam have put in place strong policies to protect and promote breastfeeding. Others like Turkmenistan have very high rates of mothers giving birth in babyfriendly hospitals. Almost all mothers in New Zealand and Sri Lanka give birth at a baby-friendly facility. Additionally, cultural and political contexts, including support from fathers, families, employers and communities, play a decisive role.

Through its global campaign, Every Child ALIVE, which demands solutions on behalf of the world’s newborns, UNICEF urges governments, the private sector and civil society to:

• Increase funding and awareness to raise breastfeeding rates from birth through the age of two.

• Put in place strong legal measures to regulate

Rice said the city’s attempt to exclude the homeless continues under Mayor Lyda Krewson.

“If you drive between the 14th and 15th block of Locust, every sign that you see is a proclamation of discrimination. Right outside the homeless shelter reads “Obstruction of sidewalk prohibited” and “No stopping or standing in street or at curb,” Rice said.

“Those people, if they got their way and the city looked like Krewson wanted it to be, every poor person would be out on the streets with these homeless.”

In order for the shelter to reopen, Rice said the City of St. Louis needs to approve their architectural plans, let the evangelistic team enter the building to make the repairs they say are needed, and give them permits for their day center as they continue to proceed through the courts.

“For the first time, August 1, we’re going to be before a board that’s not appointed by Mayor Slay or Mayor Krewson,” Rice said. “It’s a Missouri Court of Appeals, and we’re appealing

and-middle-income

the marketing of infant formula and other breast milk substitutes as well as bottles and teats.

• Enact paid family leave and put in place workplace breastfeeding policies, including paid breastfeeding

breaks.

• Implement the ten steps to successful breastfeeding in maternity facilities, and provide breast milk for sick newborns.

• Ensure that mothers receive skilled breastfeeding

counseling at health facilities and in the first week after delivery.

• Strengthen links between health facilities and communities, so that mothers are ensured of continued support for breastfeeding.

the fact that they have to agree with how we practice our religion in order for us to open our shelter. In the meantime, we are doing everything the

city wants us to do as far as repairs are concerned. They know we should be allowed to get all the permits we need to open up for the daytime to help

Rev. Larry Rice claims that the “rich folk” in the Terra Cotta Lofts that neighbor New Life gathered people with materialistic interests who were intent to shutter the center to keep homeless people away from their lofts.

• Improve monitoring systems to track improvements in breastfeeding policies, programs and practices.

To read the complete report, visit https://tinyurl.com/ y938pwoe.

American. There were children standing in the burning sun outside of the building where they could have been sheltered from the heat as they grabbed supplies like clothes, food, water, toiletries, and bus tickets in front of the establishment on June 30, a 90-degree summer day.

“It’s tragic because if we had this building open, we’ve made all the repairs, those children could be in air conditioning right now,” Rice said. “They could all be inside.” He said New Life continues to serve the homeless in the ways it can.

“We go through 12,000 bottles of water a month right now,” Rice said. “I need to be having 25,000 bottles of water. We go through 1,000 bus tickets a week, and we receive no city, state, or federal dollars. We need people to pray for us.”

the homeless while we’re going through court and the rest.” At the press conference, the majority of homeless people being treated were African-

To help New Life in its efforts to help the homeless community, call (314) 421-3020. For more information, visit http://www. newlifeevangelisticcenter.org.

3. Morbid conversationHave you noticed that your spouse is preoccupied with death and do they make comments like they would be better off dead? Think depression.

es- Are they drinking more than usual? Sleeping more? Eating less? Think depression.

Common risk factors for suicide include:

4. Excessive alcohol use, illicit drug use, appetite chang-

If you know someone who is at risk of committing suicide, please call the free National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1–800–273–TALK (8255).

Your family doctor, Denise Hooks-Anderson, M.D. Associate Professor SLUCare Family Medicine yourhealthmatters@stlamerican.com

The analysis notes that babies are much more likely to be breastfed at least once in low-

countries like Bhutan (99 percent), Madagascar (99 percent) and Peru (99 percent) than those born in Ireland (55 percent) the United States (74 percent) or Spain.

Photo by Wiley Price

Business

AME Church, black banks launch new partnership for black wealth

By Hazel Trice Edney

(TriceEdneyWire.com) - The Black church, among the most prosperous institutions in America, has long led movements for the spiritual, social and civic uplift of Black people. When the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968, he had just launched the Poor People’s Movement, which quickly fizzled after his death.

With this historic backdrop, the African Methodist Episcopal Church - with a legacy of leadership in its own right - has announced an innovative economic partnership with Blackowned banks across the country. The partnership aims to be a catalyst to spur business development, homeownership and wealth in the Black community.

“We are now pleased to announce a partnership with the presidents of the 19 Black banks in the United States, with the goal of increasing Black wealth,” said Bishop Reginald T. Jackson, president of the Council of AME Bishops. “This initiative will strengthen Black banks across the United States and increase their capacity to lend to small businesses, to secure mortgages, to provide personal lines of credit, and to offer other forms of credit to AME churches and our mem-

n “In the next decade in the global church and in the AME church and in Black banking, we will see both evolution and revolution. Banks must reinvent themselves, not just to respond to the pressures of the day, but to be flexible enough to adapt to the world of tomorrow.”

– General Board Chair Bishop Vashti Murphy Mckenzie

bers. This, of course, includes enabling members and their families to become homeowners.”

Bishop Jackson made the announcement during a press conference held during the 2018 Council of Bishops and General Board Meeting in Atlanta June 26. The specific details of a memorandum of understanding are being for-

mulated and will be announced this summer.

However, the goals are to increase deposits and loans with Black banks; increase Black homeownership to over 50 percent nationwide. This means 2,000,000 more Black homeowners than now exist; and grow the number of Black businesses from 2.6 million to 4 million and total gross receipts from an average of $72,500.00 to $150,000.00.

“The spirit in which you all have shared the commitment to the community, to the banks and to what we can do together is outstanding,” responded Preston Pinkett III, chairman and CEO of the City National Bank of New Jersey and chairman of the National Bankers Association. “Thank you for your willingness to step outside of the norm to do something that I would say is extraordinary here in America and extraordinary in the world.”

Pinkett said the church-bank partnerships are already beginning around the nation. “It is safe to say that this kind of commitment; this kind of demonstration will go a long way in supporting our banks and the banks to be able to support the community...With God’s blessings, we will accomplish great things.”

See WEALTH, B6

Dismantle the Divide

Prohibit and enforce bans on income discrimination

By Jeanette Mott Oxford and Nicole L. McKoy

“Your money is no good here.” It may sound like a line spoken by the barkeeper in an oldtimey Western movie. The man behind the bar refuses service to a gunslinger known to be trouble. Yet, innocent residents of St. Louis City and St. Louis County all too often hear modern versions of this line from potential landlords or leasing agents when inquiring about apartments or houses for rent. Prospective tenants may hear or read: “vouchers/Section 8 not accepted;” “SSI/SSDI need not apply;” “TANF cash not allowed;” or, more subtly, “we require a minimum income of $43,000 a year.” All of them are phrases that convey, “You are not welcome here, and neither is your money.” While acronyms like TANF may look like alphabet soup to some, the most disadvantaged know these letters are the names of public benefits programs. These benefits increase family security in times of hardship. Section 8 is a housing voucher program that makes hous-

dren. Empower Missouri was honored to have the opportunity to collaborate in the production of the “Segregation in St. Louis: Dismantling the Divide” report released in April. We join our partners in calling on St. Louis County government to pass legislation to forbid landlords or property managers from rejecting rentals to tenants who receive housing subsidies or other forms of public assistance. We also call on St. Louis City to better enforce its recent ban on source of income discrimination. According to attorneys at both the Metropolitan St. Louis Equal Housing & Opportunity Council (EHOC) and Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, ads stating “No Section 8” are common. Anecdotal evidence further finds applicants whose main source of income is SSI or SSDI must pay higher security deposits, which makes housing out of reach for many. Source of income discrimination often rears its ugly head in state policy. Rep. J. Eggleston

June McAllister Fowler was named chair of the Citizens for Modern Transit board of directors. Fowler is the senior vice president of communications, marketing and public affairs for BJC HealthCare. Prior to joining BJC, she was the senior director of communications and community affairs for Mallinckrodt. She has served as a member of CMT’s board for over five years and as secretary since 2015.

Otha Myles, M.D. joined the Board of Directors of DOORWAYS. Dr. Myles works as a medical specialist at St. Luke’s LLC. He is also the founder, president, and CEO of the Brother 2 Brother initiative sponsored by Myles Medical Consulting LLC that is based at Roosevelt High School in St. Louis Public Schools. DOORWAYS provides emergency and permanent housing to the impoverished and homeless population affected by HIV/AIDS in Missouri and Illinois.

Yolanda Howze was appointed director of Human Resources by the City of University City. She will be responsible for the strategic direction and day-today operations of the Human Resources Department, a position she previously held from 2005 to 2015. For the past six years, Howze served as the human resources director for Bellaire, Texas. She starts her position on August 1.

Akbar Muhammad published a new book, “Africa and The World: Revisited,” a comprehensive collection of Africa-focused articles written over a decade offering insight and analysis from his lifetime of experience in international relations. A St. Louis resident, he is the international representative for Minister Louis Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam. He has traveled to 128 countries around the world as the group’s ambassador.

Rev. Tracy Wolff joined the Board of Directors of DOORWAYS. She is the lead pastor at North Hills United Methodist Church and the associate pastor at St. Andrew UMC. Prior to this, she served as the Food & Fitness director at Mercy Ministries and the Connections pastor at Grace UMC. DOORWAYS provides emergency and permanent housing to the impoverished and homeless population affected by HIV/AIDS in Missouri and Illinois.

Marcus Chanay is the new vice president of Student Affairs at Lincoln University. He officially began his duties on July 1, and most recently served as vice president of Student Life at Jarvis Christian College. During his career, Chanay has led initiatives to create or grow curricular and co-curricular programs for varied student populations, including student veterans, active military students and their families.

Yolanda Howze

Marcus Chanay

Rev. Tracy Wolff

Otha Myles, M.D.

Akbar Muhammad

AME Church Bishops pose with Black bankers and business leaders after announcing historic partnership.

Photo by Klarque Garrison/Trice Edney News Wire

Jeanette Mott Oxford

Nicole L. McKoy

SweetHead Naturals brings health and wellness to the hair salon

LaWanda Brooks operates salons for adults and children and a signature product line

By Lydia McGhee For The St. Louis American

When you meet LaWanda Brooks, the love she emanates from within can be felt in every product, business she touches.

Brooks, the founder and owner of SweetHead Naturals Salon, Little SweetHead Naturals Salon, PrettiKat Boutique and the SweetHead Naturals organic hair, skin and body product line – is a force of nature. “I have a passion for creating and running business, and I love helping people create businesses, especially black business,” she said. This beautyindustry veteran with more than 32 years in the industry, which includes working for premier beauty lines and being a stylist, puts her passion for health and wellness and self-care into every bottle of product she makes. And making product is exactly what Brooks does in one room of her University City-based SweetHead Naturals Salon.

often hidden in standard overthe-counter beauty products. Brooks has two hair salons – one for adults and a cute mini-me salon in Florissant dedicated solely to children.

Brooks said the natural care movement has motivated many women to move away from relaxing their hair, but a lot of people fail to realize the harmful chemicals that are often present in lotions, soaps, deodorants and other personal care items.

n “My clients would ask me what I used for my personal care, and I would respond, ‘I make my own,’ and they started requesting products from me.”

– LaWanda Brooks

Brooks and her team measure, mix and blend organic beauty products out of ingredients like shea butter, sunflower, coconut and avocado oil.

She prides herself on creating products that are free of the harmful, toxic chemicals

“In a matter of seconds, products rubbed onto your skin can be absorbed into your bloodstream. I began to research the ingredients of all of the products I was using, and many of the ingredients were linked to cancer, reproductive issues, neurological problems and many more health issues,” Brooks said.

“I took a huge leap of faith and stopped performing relaxers, perms and harmful color services in my salon. Chemical straightener and hair-color services are a large part of the revenue for a salon business; however, for me these harmful processes were not worth the health and wellness of myself or my clients.”

With a problem and niche

identified, Brooks began working on a solution.

“My clients would ask me what I used for my personal care, and I would respond, ‘I make my own,’ and they started requesting products from me to use in their daily care regimen,” Brooks said.

To name her new product line, Brooks looked within for something that represented her, her journey and her path. Eventually, “Sweethead,” a name she was lovingly called

by her grandfather – a wellknown furniture upholsterer named Alfred Turner – came to mind. Due to its personal meaning and its relevance to pure ingredients and appeal to clients, “Sweethead” became the perfect name to represent her new product line. Brooks said when she was presented with the opportunity for her products to be featured in Target and other large retailers, she opted to stay small and homemade

DIVIDE

continued from page B1

(R-Maysville) annually sponsors a bill that would make it much harder for recipients of TANF to obtain housing – or to convert their assistance into necessary currency to buy essentials.

This past session’s version, House Bill 1443, would have made it impossible for TANF recipients to use the benefits on their electronic benefits transfer (EBT) cards to obtain cash at ATMs. In a hearing on a previous version of the bill, Rep. Eggleston claimed this policy was necessary because people on TANF just use their cash to obtain “meth, whiskey and pornography.”

TANF is a miserly program, offering maximum assistance of just $292 per month for a family of three in Missouri. Access to cash is essential for people living with limited incomes. Cash is required at laundromats. Many recipients shop for their children’s cloth-

– because she is committed to product integrity and wants to ensure her product is created according to the standards she originally created. Brooks currently operates three businesses that carry the SweetHead’s line. Her SweetHead Naturals’ flagship salon is located at 8133 Delmar Blvd. in University City. It has shelves lined with shampoo, conditioner, lotion, deodorant, perfume and even a men’s line. Little SweetHead

ing at yard sales where payments are cash-only.

Source of income discrimination further perpetuates housing segregation in our region. These areas of concentrated poverty are usually food deserts. Yet, local merchants sometimes do not have working EBT equipment. Finally, cash is necessary when rent is due and the landlord does not “deal” in EBT cards.

Rep. Eggleston claimed no family on TANF would be harmed by his bill, saying virtually all of them get Section 8 and have landlords who accept EBT cards. His view his highly inaccurate. Section 8 reports that only 15 percent of families using the program show TANF income. When lawmakers do not know the realities of living in poverty, great harm can be done to the poorest among us. HB 1443 passed the House by a vote of 100-46. It died in the Senate after intense opposition.

Justice does not prevail where prejudice exists.

Discrimination based on income is one of many factors that keeps families trapped in

LaWanda Brooks – the founder and owner of SweetHead Naturals Salon, Little SweetHead Naturals Salon, PrettiKat Boutique and the SweetHead Naturals organic hair, skin and body product line – is a beautyindustry veteran with more than 32 years in the industry, which includes working for premier beauty lines and being a stylist.

Naturals, located at 1783 N. New Florissant in Florissant, is the cute, pink salon for little naturalista princesses in the making. PrettiKat Boutique, located at 3367 N. Lindbergh in Florissant, offers full-body waxing services in a private boutique setting, as well as one-of-a-kind garments and clothing and SweetHead’s signature product line. For more information, visit www.sweetheadnaturals.com or www.prettikatboutique.com.

high-poverty, low-opportunity neighborhoods. It blocks people from communities with opportunities for a good education, access to social capital, and better health outcomes. It is time for St. Louis City and County officials to end to this discrimination that’s harming these families. Their dollars should have the same value as everyone else’s.

Empower Missouri (www. EmpowerMissouri.org), advocates for the well-being of all Missourians through civic leadership, education, and research. Founded in 1901 as the Missouri Conference on Charities and Corrections, Empower Missouri focuses especially on access to basic human needs and fairness. Jeanette Mott Oxford, a former state representative for a portion of the City of St. Louis, has been executive director since 2012. Nicole McKoy, president of the Empower Missouri Board of Directors, is Divisional Social Services Asset Manager & Housing Specialist, at the Salvation Army, Midland Division.

Photo by Ashlee Nicole

n “They deserve to make a lot more money than they do.”

Sports

There are few black MLB All Stars, but plenty of Hispanic ones

~ See ‘Sports Eye’ page B4 ~

Surge, Icons meet before regional with Flyers

By Earl Austin Jr.

Of the St. Louis American

The St. Louis Surge will close out the month of July with two big home games on consecutive weekends.

The Surge (7-2) will close out its regular season of the Women’s Blue Chip Basketball League by hosting the Music City Icons on Sunday afternoon at Washington University. Tip-off is at 2:05 p.m.

On the following Saturday (July 21), the Surge will be hosting the Midwest Flyers in the championship game of the WBCBL Midwest Regional at 5:05 p.m. The Surge and the Flyers have already split two meetings this season, so the third meeting will be for a regional title and a berth in next month’s WBCBL National Tournament next month in Charlotte, North Carolina.

— NBA star Damian Lillard, on the pay gap between the NBA and WNBA players Earl Austin Jr.

St. Louis continued its strong season last Saturday with an impressive 87-73 victory over the Georgia Stampede. Guard Rebecca Harris led five Surge players in double figures with a gamehigh 28 points. Jaleesa Butler and Mariah King scored 14 points each, Brittany Carter had 13 points and Kristi Bellock added 10. Guard Jordan Jones handed out a game-high 11 assists. For the season, the Surge have been one of the highest scoring teams in the WBCBL as they are scoring close to a 100 points a game. The 5’9” Harris continues to be one of the league’s top all-around players with her scoring and stat-sheet stuffing. Harris is currently averaging 26.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 2.0 steals while shooting 46 percent from the field and 44 percent from the free throw line.

Former Incarnate Word Academy standout Brittany Carter is also enjoying an excellent season as she averages 17.4 points and 3.0 assists while shooting 54 percent from the field, 43

NBA Offseason Notes

The NBA’s free agency period started off with a bang, with LeBron James’ and DeMarcus Cousin’s earth-shattering announcements. Since then, most of the offseason moves have consisted of star players re-signing with their teams or mediocre players relocating via free agency or trade. However, the offseason is young. Many of the star players have already decided their futures. Still, there are still plenty of offseason transactions to be made and some second-guessing on some of the second-rate deals that have been made so far.

Head-scratching moves

I mentioned them briefly last week, but I’m not sure what the Los Angeles Lakers were thinking by immediately signing Lance Stephenson, Rajon Rondo and JaVale McGee after reeling in James. The McGee signing is understandable. Despite his repu-

tation for “Shaqtin’ A Fool,” the athletic center performed admirably for the Warriors. He should help them much more than Brook Lopez did last season. All Lopez did was slow the Lakers offense down and chuck up incessant three-pointers like Antoine Walker back in the day. The Rondo and Stephenson signings just don’t seem to make much sense. Rondo shot 33 percent from three-point land on just 2.3 attempts per game for the New Orleans Pelicans last season. Stephenson shot just 28.9 percent from deep on 2.8 attempts for the Indiana Pacers. The Lakers were already next-to-last in the NBA in three-point percentage a season ago. Unless Lonzo Ball and Kyle Kuzma turn into Dennis Scott and Nick Anderson in the offseason, the Lakers won’t really have any dynamic shooters to surround James with. There’s chatter that Kyle Korver and/or Carmelo Anthony could make their

Ishmael H. Sistrunk

St. Louis Surge point guard Kelsey McClure (3) works her way to the basket against the Georgia Stampede

Athletic Complex.

Stampede

Photo by Wiley Price

SportS EyE

With Alvin A. Reid

There are few black MLB All Stars, but plenty of Hispanic ones

Major League Baseball’s All-Sar Game was dominated by black players from the late 1960s and 1970s. Oh, how the times have changed.

With African-American players making up just 8.4 percent of Opening Day rosters, the result is that few black players will be playing in next Tuesday’s All-Star Game in Washington, D.C.

The only black starter on the National League roster is Matt Kemp, leftfielder for the L.A. Dodgers. Kemp, who is easily the comeback player of the year, was a longshot to even make his team. He has compiled a .317 batting average with 15 home runs and 57 RBIs. It will be his third AllStar appearance.

After being thrown on the scrap heap by the San Diego Padres, Kemp’s agent let the Dodgers front office know he wanted to return to the team of his best years. But he still has a high price tag of $21.75 million over two years.

He said Sunday that making the All-Star team was not an “I showed you,” declaration.

“I told them I wanted to be here. I told hem I wanted a chance to play every day. I guess that proves I can help the team win in any way I can,” Kemp said.

“The past is the past. Right now, I’m an All-Star and I’m happy about it.”

Kemp’s team will be led by manager Dave Roberts, MLB’s lone black manager. He earned the post by leading L.A. to the World Series last season.

“Matt has had a tremendous first half,” said Roberts. “To come back to L.A. and represent the Dodgers in the All-Star Game; I don’t think he’ll let on how much this means to him.”

The NL’s other black player is Milwaukee outfielder Lorenzo Cain. His Brewers are setting the pace in the National League Central, holding off the Cubs and Cardinals since early in the season.

It is Cain’s second All-Star game after making the AL lineup in 2015 as a member of the Kansas City Royals.

“It’s a great experience. It’s a lot of fun to get to play with a lot of great talent,” Cain said.

The American League starting lineup is not very diverse –there is only one white player.

L.A. Angels outfielder Mike Trout, on pace for one of baseball’s greatest seasons in 50 years, will be surrounded by Latino and black players when the game begins.

Mookie Betts of the Boston Red Sox and Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees will patrol the outfield for the AL and are the team’s two black

starters. It is Betts’ third All-Star Game and Judge’s second. Betts told mlb.com that being an All-Star “is definitely pretty cool.”

“It just means you are doing something right. So, I know I have to continue to just do my thing and put in the work.”

Judge said the experience is “pretty humbling.”

“First and foremost, I’ve got to thank my team for always putting me in the right position I know I wouldn’t be in this spot without them,” he told mlb.com.

The AL also features outfielders Michael Brantley of the Cleveland Indians and George Springer of the Word Champion Houston Astros. It will be their third and second All Star Games, respectively. With St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina replacing the injured Buster Posey on the NL roster, 24 of the 63 players participating in the game are foreign-born Latinos.

Molina joins pitcher Miles Mikolas as the only Redbirds on the NL squad. This number could increase. Jesus Aguilar of the Milwaukee Brewers, Eddie Rosario of the Minnesota Twins, Jean Segura of the Seattle Mariners and Adrelton Simmons of the L.A. Angels are candidates to be added to All-Star rosters as fan-vote final additions.

Holy Bob Gibson, Batman; there are no black pitchers on either the American or National League rosters.

Moore of Rashad

Ahmad Rashad, former NFL star and TV celebrity, has a lengthy article about his life, career and many famous friends in the July 2 edition of Sports Illustrated.

Among his tales is one of him hanging out in Bill Cosby’s dressing room after a show in Las Vegas. Frank Sinatra Sammy Davis, Jr.

and Dean Martin were also there. He remains close friends with Michael Jordan and is pals with Jack Nicholson and Bill Murray

He also recalls how St. Louis Cardinal football fans, and most of the region, reacted to his conversion to Islam and changing his name from Bobby Moore

When he was announced as Ahmad Rashad for the first time in Busch Stadium, “the whole place was booing like crazy,” he said.

“And when I went to stand next to guys, they were moving away from me too.”

He said security had to escort him to his car after the game. Rashad was among the first players to take this action when “players didn’t have any sort of substance.”

The Cardinals’ brass let his beliefs and activism lead to the foolish move of trading the talented receiver to Buffalo.

He said it was O.J. Simpson that convinced the Bills owners to acquire him and soothed fans’ ire when news of the deal was released. He was there just one season before joining the Minnesota Vikings and having the best years of his

career. Had the Cardinals not been so shortsighted, the swift Rashad could have teamed with receiver Mel Gray and running back Terry Metcalf in coach Don Coryell’s electrifying offense.

The Big Red probably would have made more than two playoff appearances in that era and could have won a playoff game instead of losing to Minnesota and Los Angeles, respectively, in 1974 and 1975.

Mizzou faces lawsuit

Carjay Lyles, a former assistant track and field coach, has filed a discrimination lawsuit against head coach Brett Halter, associate athletic director for compliance and the university of Missouri Board of Curators.

Lyles alleges that he and other black staff members and athletes “experienced discrimination under Halter,” including the coaching calling blacks “you people.” He accuses the university of having a “deep-rooted history of treating black athletes and black staff members adversely because of their race.”

He alleges that he told Halter that coaches in the Kansas City and St. Louis areas were concerned that talented black athletes were being overlooked for white athletes from other states and that some black athletes had to pay for their education while less talented whites received scholarships. The lawsuit also accuses Disa Nichols, a friend of Halter’s, with threatening some track team members “to make false accusations to contradict the complaints” or they would have their immigration papers revoked.

The university responded with a release that included that it “does not tolerate any form of discrimination or harassment and actively seeks to build and inclusive culture in which all differences among us – whether they be racial, intellectual, physical or based on gender, religion, sexual preference, age ability or geographic origin –are valued.”

Reid roundup

It’s looking more like Michael Porter Jr., might be in recovery mode from back surgery in October for his first year in the NBA. Denver Nuggets coach Mike Malone told NBATV on Saturday “we’re not going to rush him back. We have a very good team coming back. So, there’s no reason for us to say, ‘Michael’s got to play this season.’”… Tampa Bay pitcher Chris Archer read his fellow MLB players the riot act for Rays ace Blake Snell not being voted on to the American League Al-Star roster. When balloting closed, his 2.09 ERA was first in the AL, 12 wins was second and 14 quality starts was third. “It’s totally on us and I’m calling out everyone who didn’t take the energy to determine who is most deserving… Speaking of Archer, he is still rumored to be traded and the Cardinals could use another quality starter… The P-D’s Ben Frederickson pointed out this week that KU’s new AD, Jeff Long, has a daughter that attends Mizzou and is a friend of Missouri AD Jim Sterk This Jayhawk still stands solidly opposed to playing Missouri in football or basketball… The financial numbers are in and Grambling State University is reporting it reaped more than $700,000 from its Celebration Bowl appearance and victory over North Carolina Central in December 2016. North Carolina A&T topped Grambling in the 2017 contest and is certainly hoping to better the big bucks than the Tigers… Willie Taggert, Florida State’s first black head coach is bringing his “Saturday Night Live” football camp to Tallahassee on July 28. He created the event at Oregon last year and it attracted thousands of fans and the Ducks got four verbal commitments from highly sought-after recruits… Willie O’Ree, the NHL’s first black player, will finally be enshrined into the Hockey Hall of Fame. He debuted for Boston during the 1957-58 season, played just 45 games and scored 14 goals before he was sent to the minors because the league simply was not ready for his participation. He will enter as a hockey pioneer and “for his energetic efforts to popularize the game among minorities.” He said in a release, “I was given a second win to give back to the game and I am honored to be recognized.”

Alvin A. Reid was honored as the 2017 “Best Sports Columnist – Weeklies” in the Missouri Press Association’s Better Newspaper Contest and is a New York Times contributor. He is a panelist on the Nine Network program, Donnybrook, a weekly contributor to “The Charlie Tuna Show” on KFNS and appears monthly on “The Dave Glover Show” on 97.1 Talk.” His Twitter handle is @aareid1.

Alvin A. Reid

With St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina replacing the injured Buster Posey on the NL roster, 24 of the 63 players participating in the game are foreign-born Latinos.

InsIde sports

With Earl Austin Jr.

Justin Robinson earns world ranking in track

The month of July is annually one of most important during the summer grassroots basketball season, as college coaches from around the country can be out and evaluating prospective players for their respective programs.

There will be two such grassroots events taking place in the St. Louis area, which will bring several college recruiters to town. The Adidas Three Stripes Tournament will be held from July 18-22 at Lindenwood University in St. Charles. The tournament is being put on by Premier Sports and the Gateway Basketball Club.

Grassroots programs from Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Tennessee, Colorado and others are expected to be in attendance, including local programs Brad Beal Elite and Gateway.

The second big local tourna-

CLUTCH

Continued from C5

needs live bodies like Pacman Jones needs a title shot, paid Howard not to play for them. Without Howard, the Wizards have already been forced to deal with Beal and Wall butting heads. Last season, Wall and then-teammate Marcin Gortat publicly beefed with each other. Now the team will add Howard, who was run out of Los Angeles, Houston, Atlanta and Charlotte.

On the court, Howard can be an effective player. He’s coming off a season in which he averaged 16.6 points, 12.5 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game. However, in the locker room, he’s a disaster waiting to happen. Maybe the Wizards feel that with all the drama in the West Wing, they need drama of their own in order to draw fans.

Melo Watch

The Oklahoma City Thunder has made it clear that the franchise intends to part ways with Carmelo Anthony. Where he will land is a bit of a mystery. Teams being thrown into the mix so far are the Lakers, Houston Rockets, Miami Heat and Philadelphia 76ers. Of those teams, Miami is probably the best fit because they already have zero chance of reaching the NBA Finals. At this stage in his career, Anthony is better off signing with a trash team (Hello Brooklyn!) and getting his shots up than trying to ring chase.

He is a terrible defender and judging by his season in OKC, he is no longer a shot-maker.

Continued from C5

ment is the Battle for the Arch Tournament, which will be held from July 20-22 at Whitfield School. The event is presented by Big Marc Sports as part of the Reebok Tournament Series. Watching these local tournaments gives fans an opportunity to get their summer basketball fix while watching top local players compete against some of the top players from around the region.

Local standouts compete in NBA Summer League

A pair of former local standouts are currently getting some run in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. Former CBC and University of Missouri standout Jordan Barnett is playing with the Milwaukee Bucks while former Belleville East and University of Illinois player Malcolm Hill Jr. is playing with the Utah

Jazz.

The 6’8” Barnett has done a solid job in the Bucks’ first three games, averaging 6.0 points, 2.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists while averaging 20 minutes a game. He had a high of 13 points in the Bucks’ second game against the Dallas Mavericks. In his first game, Barnett had a team-high four assists in a victory over the Detroit Pistons.

Earl Austin Jr.

The 6’6” Hill is playing with the Jazz this summer after spending his first year after college playing overseas. He started his career with a brief stint with the Magnolia Hotshots in the Philippines, where he averaged 26 points in seven games. From there, he went to play for the Telekom Baskets Bonn in the Basketball Bundesliga

League, which is the top league in Germany. Hill averaged nearly nine points and three rebounds for Telekom.

Justin Robinson of the World List Young track and field phenom Justin Robinson of Hazelwood West has run himself on to the world list in his favorite event, the 400meter dash. The junior to-be sprinter is currently ranked No. 4 in the world in the 400 in his age group. He turned in a time of 46.2 seconds at the USATF Junior Outdoor Championships in Bloomington, Indiana last month to put himself on the list of top performers.

Robinson is currently in Tampere, Finland as a member of Team USA for the IAAF World U20 Championships,

which will take place from July 10-15. His fourth-place finish at the Junior Outdoors earned him a spot on the USA team with a chance to compete in the 4x400-meter relay. Good luck to Justin Robinson as he takes on the best in the world.

Patrick McCaw Pro-Am League

Former CBC standout and current Golden State Warriors player Patrick McCaw is hosting a summer Pro-Am Basketball League, which is taking place this month at the St. Louis College of Pharmacy. The Pro-Am League features top collegiate and former collegiate players from the area, including several players from Saint Louis University. There are two more sessions for the league, which are July 21-22 and July 28-29.

Whichever team signs Anthony is destined to go the same route as the Wizards.

Damaged goods?

Had Jabari Parker and Isaiah Thomas remained injury-free and become free agents following the 2016-17 NBA season, both might be rocking max

deals. Parker averaged 20.1 points and 6.2 rebounds that season before tearing his ACL for the second time. Thomas averaged 28.9 points and was a certified MVP candidate. He then injured his hip and was dealt to Cleveland, then Los Angeles.

Both players made underwhelming comebacks last

while shooting 57 percent from the field and 81 percent from the free throw line. The 6’1” Butler had a high game of 38 points earlier this season in a victory over the Atlanta Monarchs. Also scoring in double figures is Kristi Bellock, who is averaging 14.8 points and 5.9 rebounds while shooting 58 percent from the field. Bellock has also hit a perfect 14 for 14 from the free throw line. King, a 6’2” forward, is averaging 7.9 points and 6.7 rebounds a game while shooting 56 percent from the field. Tickets for St. Louis Surge home games are on sale for $10. They can be purchased on line at stlsurgebasketball.com/ tickets.

season. Now teams are leery of throwing big bucks to either guy.

Parker, a restricted free agent, received a one year, $4.3M qualifying offer from the Bucks after average 12.6 points and 4.9 rebounds last season. He has reportedly received interest from the Chicago Bulls and Sacramento

Kings, but to this point has not received any formal offers.

Monsanto YMCA to host college basketball luncheon

The Monsanto Family YMCA will be hosting the inaugural Coaches Luncheon, which will be held on Monday, August 27 at the O’Fallon Park Rec Complex YMCA (4343 West Florissant, Ave.).

The event will bring together all five head coaches from the Division I programs in the state of Missouri, including Cuonzo Martin of Missouri, Travis Ford of Saint Louis University, Dana Ford of Missouri State, Rick Ray of Southeast Missouri State and Kareem Richardson of UMKC.

Tickets are available for $45 each or $400 for a table of 10. You can register on line at gwrymca.org/coachesluncheon through August 22. For more information, contact Marcus Wilson at (314) 36-4646.

St.

The St. Louis Blazers 15U boys basketball team won the championship at the Under Armour PTN Select Super 16 Tournament in Cape Girardeau, Mo. last weekend. The Blazers defeated Team Ramey 2021 40-38 in the championship game to complete a 6-0 weekend. The team members are (in alphabetical order): Isiah Brownlee (Fort Zumwalt South), Donnell Boyd (Hazelwood East), Willie Davis III (Cardinal Ritter), Barcus Jackson (Lift for Life), Jalen Pace (MICDS), Marcus Pepper (Oakville), DeMarcus Sanford (Lift for Life), Rico Singleton (Lift for Life), Nyjah Vaughn (Cardinal Ritter), and Cleveland Washington (Lutheran North).

According to Tim Bontemps of The Washington Post, Thomas could begin the 2018-19 season without a team. The 5-foot-9 Thomas has apparently received very little interest from NBA clubs. Last season, he averaged 15.2 points and 4.8 assists, but was clearly not the dominant player he was in Boston. Both players can light up the nets when healthy. The big question is, which team(s) will take a gamble that Parker and Thomas can stay on the court?

Follow Ishmael and In the Clutch on Twitter @ishcreates.

WEALTH

continued from page B1

Amidst an atmosphere of excitement, the bankers, bishops and supporters of the movement packed into a meeting room in a Downtown Atlanta hotel. Jackson was surrounded by all 20 Bishops of the 231-year-old denomination as well as supporters of the movement. They included principals of the growing economic movement, Black Wealth 2020, which Jackson credited as inspiration for the idea.

“This partnership grows out of an initiative formed in Washington, DC in 2015, called Black Wealth 2020 which is providing an economic blueprint for Black America,” Jackson said.

Michael Grant, one of the founders of Black Wealth 2020, presided at the press conference. He connected the new partnership directly with the movement begun by Dr. King.

“The great civil rights movement led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and others has now morphed into a fullfledged movement for economic empowerment,” Grant said. “The offspring of African slaves and their unrewarded labor have catapulted a small Colonial outpost into the greatest industrial giant the world has ever known. Now, as a people, we are turning our efforts toward our own enrichment. We must now create those economic opportunities for ourselves.”

Opening the press conference, Grant underscored the historicity of the moment. “For those of you who are students of history, you would not be surprised that the Church of Richard Allen would be leading an effort to close the wealth gap across the United States of America.” Allen, among America’s most influential Black leaders, founded the AME church in 1794. It was the first independent Black denomination in the U. S. “And we do this with malice towards none,” stressed Grant.

Bishop James L. Davis, of

the Second Episcopal District, likened the partnership to a marriage - a marriage between a church and its community.

“It is a marriage that says a church that is concerned about its people, concerned about the good and the bad, all of the things our people have had to go through.”

The prophetic voices of Black church leaders not only articulate ideas, but strategies.

“In the next decade in the global church and in the AME church and in Black banking, we will see both evolution and revolution. Banks must reinvent themselves, not just to respond to the pressures of the day, but to be flexible enough to adapt to the world of tomorrow. The ecclesia, the church, must also evolve its business knowledge, educational platform, and its missional thrust without losing its stance in the Word of God,” said General Board Chair Bishop Vashti

Murphy Mckenzie. “Both of

our institutions are dealing with increasing assertive governmental intrusion, higher membership and customer demands along with increasing change in the wider world.”

The announcement of the new partnership was met with applause from national civil rights leaders.

“Thank you and your fellow bishops for making economic development a priority of your denomination,” wrote civil rights icon Georgia Congressman John Lewis in a letter to Bishop Jackson. “Hopefully, your visionary leadership will inspire other denominations to replicate your efforts nationwide.”

National Urban League

President/CEO Marc Morial also weighed in with a letter: “I want to express the support of the National Urban League for your leadership and initiative in addressing the challenges of

Black homeownership and the need to increase the support, viability and profitability of our African-American businesses,” he wrote.

Morial is among economic leaders who have determined that among the reasons homeownership among AfricanAmericans is disparately low is, in part, because of discriminatory lending practices.

Mortgage Banker Lois Johnson, president/CEO of Salt Lake City-based United Security Financial, said she takes “great pride in our HUD designation as a fair practice lender. We provide loans to all who meet the minimum criteria, especially people of color who have been denied the opportunity to have their own homes.”

Johnson, who is licensed to operate in 49 states, says she intends to travel to each of the AME church’s episcopal districts to “create hope and opportunities.”

The principals agreed that the key to the success of the partnership must be mutual respect for Black spending power and mutual support of Black businesses.

“We hear about Black folks have a trillion dollars in spending power,” said Ron Busby, president/CEO of the U. S. Black Chamber, Inc. and co-founder of Black Wealth 2020. “But that’s usually White folk talking about our dollar sand how can they get their share of it. We came together to say how can we deal with the Black wealth, the gap of it and really to move our agenda forward inside our own community.”

Busby pointed to the USBC’s new AP called the USBC Mobile Directory with 109,000 Black-owned businesses in order to help consumers make targeted purchases inside the Black business community.

Robert James, CEO of the Carver State Bank in Savannah discussed how the movement will be sustained. “There was a time that no church got financed in Savannah Georgia unless we financed them at Carver State Bank,” James said to applause. “This program will get us back on the path.”

James says he knows the relationship can be sustained because the bishops have authority to oversee and encourage AME church leaders to do business with Blackowned banks. “We can talk to the Bishops about those local churches. And you can talk to your elders and your preachers,” he said.

Bishop Jackson underscored the fact that the U. S. partnership is only the beginning. He indicated that the movement will also expand abroad. “The possibilities extend throughout the Diaspora. The African Methodist Episcopal Church has over 4,000 churches in Africa, the Caribbean, West Indies and Europe. These churches and members can also benefit from this partnership,” he said.

To augment this expansion, Her Excellency Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao, ambassador for the African Union, spoke to the Bishops the day before the press conference, promising to encourage Africans in America to also put their deposits in Black banks. She stressed the need for Black-owned institutions to unify, cooperate and not turn on one another.

“I hope we will all come together and support the idea of putting all of our money in Black banks. I have already taken the initiative and listed all of the Black banks in the country on our website,” Chihombori-Quao said. “I’m already encouraging all Black people when I do presentations to say we’ve been stupid for too long. We drive past Black banks to give our money to people who don’t give a hoot about us. And they take our money so they can get rich; not only here, but in Africa. We’ve got to change this.”

Preston Pinkett, chairman, National Bankers Association

Bishop Reginald Jackson, president, Council of AME Bishops

A quarter century of circus soul power

By Kenya Vaughn Of The

the experience, Walker was hooked. As much as he loved the show, even as a child he

Tonina’s universal sound

St. Louis musician bridges the gaps between languages and styles

By Jeremy D. Goodwin Of St. Louis Public Radio

Tonina Saputo speaks several languages –both musically and otherwise. She’s not very far past the beginning of her career, but the diversity of her musical interests can already be heard in projects ranging from alternative R&B to Latin jazz. The St. Louis-based vocalist, songwriter and bassist, who performs under her first name, has a global vision. “I really want to bridge the gap between American music – I put that in air quotes, because what is American music? – and world music. And what is world music?” she said. Her vision is reflected on her new album, “Black Angel,” which includes songs sung in Spanish, Sicilian and English.

Saputo, 23, grew up in St. Louis and returned to town after graduating from the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston last year. As part of her role as a Kranzberg Arts Foundation musical artist-in-residence, she plays a Tuesday night residency at the Dark Room in Grand Center with her jazz quartet, leading the group as its bassist and vocalist.

Her album was produced by the Spanish producer/songwriter Javier Limón. Before that, Tonina cut a hip-hop record with producer Dylan Brady, who got his start in St. Louis before moving to Los Angeles. She plays alternative R&B in a band called Her Say, which she co-founded in Boston with fellow Berklee student Heather Rivas. Some of her new tunes, which she’s been playing on guitar – part of

n Her vision is reflected on her new album, “Black Angel,” which includes songs sung in Spanish, Sicilian and English.

an album of original compositions she plans to release next year – show a singer-songwriter/folk influence. At the Dark Room recently, Tonina opened

Tonina Saputo, the St. Louis-based vocalist, songwriter and bassist who performs under her first name, has a global vision. As part of her role as a Kranzberg Arts Foundation musical artist-in-residence, she plays a Tuesday night residency at the Dark Room in Grand Center with her jazz quartet.

Photo by Tyler Small

her late set with solo bass renditions of Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” and the Jackson 5’s “I Want You Back.” Later, her band dug into a soulful interpretation of “Strange Fruit,” the anti-lynching lament most famously performed by Billie Holiday.

Tonina says her pluralistic musical tastes are an outgrowth of a multicultural upbringing. Her father, Lyn Bolding, is black; her mother, Tina Saputo, is a Sicilian. The two met due to the sudden death of Tonina’s uncle and namesake, Tony Saputo, a jazz drummer who also played in the band of country music star Reba McEntire. Tony Saputo died in a 1991 plane crash along with six other bandmates and their tour manager. Bolding was investigating the crash for the San Diego sheriff’s office. Tina Saputo, a St. Louisbased nurse, traveled to the site of her brother’s death and met Bolding while there. As a child, Tonina absorbed a mix of cultures, from the food she ate to the music she listened to.

“Culturally, I felt Sicilian. However, I present black, and I am a black individual … so it’s very complicated, but their cultures really influenced me. I was eating pasta but listening to my dad’s jazz records and I would eat some cornbread and listen to Pavarotti with my grandparents. It’s very interesting and complicated.”

The music her parents had in common, she said, was the Motown sound. The family also listened to plenty of Selena, the late MexicanAmerican superstar, who was murdered by an obsessed fan in 1995. Tonina learned the bass

See IN TONINA, C4

How to place a calendar listing

1. Email your listing to calendar@stlamerican. com

OR

2. Visit the calendar section on stlamerican.com and place your listing

Calendar listings are free of charge, are edited for space and run on a space-available basis.

concerts

July 12 – July 14, Summerset Jazz IV starring Lynne Fidmont, Truth Hurts, Howard Hewett and more, World’s Fair Pavilion in Forest Park. For more information, visit www.stljazzfest.com

Thur., July 12, 8 p.m., Old Rock House presents the Dirty Dozen Brass Band 1200 S. 7th St., 63104. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

July 13 – 14, Lamar Harris presents Headnotic. Jazz St. Louis, 3536 Washington Ave., 63103. For more information, visit www.tickets.jazzstl.org.

Sat., July 14, 8 p.m., Rockhouse Entertainment presents Scarface & DJ Quik. The Pageant, 6161 Delmar Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www. ticketmaster.com.

Sat., July 21, 1 p.m., Gateway Jazz Festival. Featuring performances by Boney James, Will Downing, Tim Cunningham, Alex Bugnon, and more. Chesterfield Amphitheater, 631 Veterans Place Dr., 63017. For more information, visit www. gatewayjazzfest.com.

Sat., July 28, 9 p.m., Rockhouse Ent. presents Rakim with Biz Markie. The Pageant, 6161 Delmar Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www.ticketmaster.com.

Sun., Aug. 5, 6 p.m., The Ambassador presents Joe 9800 Halls Ferry Rd., 63136. For more information, visit www.metrotix.com.

local gigs

Fri., July 27, 8 p.m., When I Think of Home: Wakanda Meets the Wiz. Erica King will cover some of your movie favs, perform songs from her

debut EP, and showcase local talent. 1204 Washington Ave., 63103. For more information, www.eksoul.com.

Fri., Aug. 3, 6 p.m., Gateway Arch Park Foundation and the National Blues Museum present Blues at the Arch Feat. Little Dylan. 100 Washington Ave., 63102. For more information, visit www. facebook.com.

special events

Thur., July 12, 10:30 a.m., United 4 Children 6th Annual Golf Tournament Fundraiser. 4-person scramble, contest and prize opportunities. Norman K. Probstein Golf Course - Forest Park, 6141 Lagoon Dr., 63112. For more information, visit www.united4children.org.

Thur., July 12, 11 a.m., GardaWorld Jobs presents the Veterans Job Fair Transitioning military, veterans, and their spouses can meet with recruiters from dozens of companies. Chaifetz Arena, St. Louis University, 1 S. Compton Ave., 63103. For more information or to register, visit www.events. recruitmilitary.com/events.

Thur., July 12, 11:15 a.m., A Celebration of the St. Louis Browns Annual Luncheon. Honor the St. Louis Browns and the twelve living members of the Team. Holiday Inn, 10709 Watson Rd., 63127. For more information, visit www. facebook.com.

July 12 – 22, Universoul Circus. An unforgettable journey of electrifying, performances from Russia, South Africa, Cuba, Ethiopia, and more. 1111 N. Broadway, 63101. For more information, visit www.universoulcircus. com.

The Guide

Kenya Vaughn recommends Rockhouse Ent. presents Rakim with Biz Markie. See CONCERTS for details.

July 15 – 19, Annual Conference Song and the Public Square. A conference exploring the intersection of song, the church, and the public square. Washington University, 1 Brookings Dr., 63130. For more information, visit www.thehymnsociety.org.

Mon., July 16, 9 a.m., Queen of Peace Center’s 31st Annual Golf Tournament. Norwood Hills Country Club, 1 Norwood Hills Country Club Dr., 63121. For more information, visit www.e.givesmart.com/ events/4Nq.

Wed., July 18, 10 a.m., JobNewsUSA.com presents the St. Louis Job Fair. Meet one-on-one with recruiters & hiring managers who are now hiring for immediate openings. DoubleTree – Westport, 1973 Craigshire Rd., 63146. For more information, visit www. jobnewsusa.com/events.

Thur., July 19, 8:30 a.m., Mentors 4 College Career Slam. Students have the opportunity to connect with and talk to multiple individuals in the career paths they want to pursue. Parkway Central High School, 369 N Woods Mill Rd., 63017. For more information, visit www.

mentors4college.com.

Sun., July 22, 2 p.m., Family Affair – Community Fest. Connecting church with communities by enjoying family fun through games, food, car show and giveaways. 9001 Lucas and Hunt Rd., 63136. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Thur., July 26, 9 a.m., Tommy Pham Baseball ProCamp. Belleville East HS, 2555 West Blvd., 62221. For more information, visit www. procamps.com/tommypham.

Thur., July 26, 6 p.m., Alive Magazine presents Smoke & Mirrors. Featuring the top BBQ spots in St. Louis, craft beer, a night market featuring local craftsman, live local music, and more. Encore, 5700 Highlands Plaza Dr., 63110. For more information, call (314) 446-4059.

Sat., July 28, 11 a.m., Back to School Backpack Giveaway. Music, laser tag, giveaways, haircuts, and more. Christian Believers Worship Center, 1447 Burd Ave., 63112. For more information, visit www. christianbelievers.church.

Sat., July 28, 12 p.m., Hot Fun in The Summer Vendor

Showcase. A variety of vendors showcasing art, crafts, jewelry, shoes, clothes, and more. Webster Groves Rec Center, 33 E. Glendale, 63119. For more information, call (314) 302-1055.

Sat., July 28, 1 p.m., FestAbility: A Celebration of Disabilities. A day of fully accessible family fun, food trucks, and entertainment. Missouri History Museum, 5700 Lindell Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www. festability.org.

Sat., July 28, 7 p.m., 2D.E.F presents Doug E. Fresh All White Block Party and Fundraiser, Proceeds will benefit The 2DEF Domestic Violence Safe House & Projects. Old Rock House 1200 S. 7th Street 63104. For more information, call (314) 384-9544 or purchase tickets at www. metrotix.com

Sat., July 28, 10 p.m., Sauce: An Event for The Young Professional. The Marquee, 1911 Locust St., 63103. For more information, visit www. SauceSTL.eventbrite.com.

Sun., July 29, 11 a.m., St. Louis Bride & Groom Magazine presents a Wedding Show. America’s Center, 701 Convention Plaza, 63101. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Through Aug. 10, Operation Food Search’s Summer Meals Program. The mobile meal vans will serve 33 locations via three routes. A daily dose of nutrition, along with a variety of games, arts, crafts, and STEM projects. For more information, visit www. operationfoodsearch.org.

comedy

July 13 – 15, Helium Comedy Club presents Tony Roberts 1151 St. Louis Galleria, 63117. For more information, visit www.heliumcomedy.com.

Aug. 3 – 5, Helium Comedy Club presents D.L. Hughley 1151 St. Louis Galleria, 63117.

literary

Sun., July 15, 2 p.m., Bobby Norfolk presents Scott Joplin. A combination of storytelling, music, and a demonstration of the popular time period dance, the cakewalk. Kirkwood Public Library, 140 E. Jefferson Ave., 63122. For more information, visit www. kirkwoodpubliclibrary.org.

Mon., July 16, Maryville Talks Books hosts author Rachel Devlin, author of A Girl Stands at the Door: The Generation of Young Women Who Desegregated America’s Schools. Left Bank Books, 399 N. Euclid Ave., 63108. For more information, visit www. left-bank.com.

visit www.leftbank.com.

Thur., Aug. 2, 7 p.m., Left Bank Books hosts author Alexis Clark, author of Enemies in Love: A German POW, a Black Nurse, and an Unlikely Romance. 399 N. Euclid Ave., 63108.

Sat., July 14, 7 p.m., Sense of Purpose Productions presents Lights Out! After glaucoma renders her blind, an ambitious career woman must employ her other senses to navigate through the darkness. Kranzberg Arts Center, 501 N. Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com.

July 27 – 28, COCA presents West Side Story. Edison Theatre, 6465 Forsyth Blvd., 63105. For more information, visit www.cocastl.org.

Sat., July 28, 7:30 p.m., Beyond Measure Dance Theater presents The Art of Fusion. .Zack, 3224 Locust St., 63103. For more information, visit www. metrotix.com. art

Through July 12, postdisciplinary artist Damon Davis presents the exhibit Darker Gods in the Garden of the Low-Hanging Heavens, The Luminary, 2701 Cherokee Street. For more information, visit http://theluminaryarts.com

Through July 15, From Caricature to Celebration: A Brief History of AfricanAmerican Dolls. Field House Museum, 634 S. Broadway, 63102. For more information, visit www.fieldhousemuseum. org.

Fri., July 20, 5 p.m., Let’s Play Ball! Exhibit Opening. A presentation of over 40 baseball-themed games, meet members of the St. Louis Brown Stockings Vintage Base Ball Club, and more. Field House Museum, 634 S. Broadway, 63102. For more information, visit www. facebook.com.

Fri., July 20, 6 p.m., Colorism by Work/Play Explores colorism in the African American dating back to the 18th century. Kranzberg Arts Center, 501 N. Grand Blvd., 63103. For more information, visit www.kranzbergartscenter. org.

Through August 19, Contemporary Art Museum 2018 Great Rivers Biennial Featuring artists Addoley Dzegede, Sarah Paulsen, and Jacob Stanley, Amy Sherald, and Claudia Comte. On view through August

19. 3750 Washington Blvd., 63108.

lectures and workshops

Thur., July 12, 10:30 a.m., Alive and Well Communities hosts Trauma Awareness Training. John C Murphy Health Center, 6121 N. Hanley Rd., 63134. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Sat., July 14, 10 a.m., Strategic Partnership Alliance of Greater St. Louis hosts Racism & Racial Dynamics in Fundraising Thomas Dunn Learning Center, 3113 Gasconade St., 63118. For more information, visit www.facebook.com.

Tues., July 17, 6 p.m., The League of Women Voters of Metro St. Louis hosts a Candidate Forum. Hear from candidates for State Senate District 14 and State Representative Districts 85 & 86. Beyond Housing, 6506 Wright Way, 63121. For more information, visit www. facebook.com.

Thur., July 19, 7 p.m., St. Charles History Talks: The US 56th Colored Infantry First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site, 200 S. Main St., 63301. For more information, visit www. facebook.com.

Sat., July 21, 1 p.m., Black Girls Are Magical Empowerment Conference. For girls ages 13-18. The theme will focus on: PurposePassion & Persistence. Launch Code, 4811 Delmar Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Sat., July 21, 2 p.m., Community Conversations: Electoral College. Dr. Joseph Cernik discusses the importance of the Electoral College followed by a Q & A. Kirkwood Public Library, 140 E. Jefferson Ave., 63122. For more information, visit www. kirkwoodpubliclibrary.org.

Sat., July 21, 2 p.m., Community Conversations: Electoral College. Dr. Joseph Cernik discusses the importance of the Electoral College followed by a Q & A. Kirkwood Public Library, 140

Kenya Vaughn recommends

E. Jefferson Ave., 63122. For more information, visit www. kirkwoodpubliclibrary.org.

Mon., July 23, 5:30 p.m., SCORE presents QuickBook Online – Basic Learn to select the correct QBO subscription and how to operate the software. Anheuser-Busch Hall, Fontbonne University, 6800 Wydown Blvd., 63105. For more information, visit www. eventbrite.com.

Tues., July 24, 6 p.m., Women Trailblazers in Business and Nonprofits A free panel discussion featuring female trailblazers who forged businesses and nonprofit organizations. Anheuser-Busch Hall, UMSL, One University Blvd., 63121. For more information, visit www.csprc. org.

Fri., July 27, 6 p.m., Better Family Life Membership Association presents Raising a Black Scholar – Why We Can’t Wait. 5415 Page Blvd., 63112. For more information, visit www. facebook.com.

health

Thur., July 12, 9 a.m., Barnes Jewish Hospital hosts a Stop the Bleed Training 4353 Clayton Ave., Room 128, 63110. For more information or to register, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Sat., July 14, 10:30 a.m., Transformation Church presents the 2018 Community Health Fair, FunFest and Clothing Giveaway. Bblood pressure screenings, mammograms, dental exams. 4141 Cook Ave., 63113. For more information, visit www. transformationchristianchurch. org.

Tues., July 17, 5:30 p.m., The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Gateway Chapter presents the Light the Night Walk. Activities will include inspirational stories, resource distribution, and more. The Cheshire, 6300 Clayton Rd., 63117. For more information, visit www.facebook.com.

Thur., July 19, 7 p.m., Arthritis Foundation presents Living Your Yes with RA.

Dr. Terry Moore will discuss setting health goals and other tips on living with rheumatoid arthritis. Grant’s View Branch, St. Louis County Library, 9700 Musick Rd., 63123. For more information, visit www.slcl. org.

Sat., July 21, 11 a.m., African Community Health Fair 2018. Progressive Emporium & Education Center, 1108 N. Sarah St., 63113. For more information, visit www. facebook.com.

Sat., July 21, 11a.m. Health Fair 2018, Ferguson Community Empowerment Center, 9420 West Florissant. Pre-register by calling (314) 747-9355. For more information, call (314) 4398306.

spiritual

Through July 12, 7 p.m.

nightly, Three Church Summer Revival with Southern Mission Baptist Church (8171 Wesley Ave. in Kinloch), First Missionary Baptist Church of Kinloch (4400 Parker Rd. in Florissant) and Liberty Community Worship (11221 Larrimore Rd. in Spanish Lake).

Fri., July 13, 7 p.m., How to Have a Successful, Biblical Courtship. Transformation Christian Church, 4141 Cook Ave., 63113. For more information, visit www. transformationchristianchurch. org.

July 16 – 20, 6 p.m., The Newstead Avenue Missionary Baptist Church invites you to

Vacation Bible School. 4370 N. Market St., 63113. For more information, call (314) 3714436.

July 17 – 20, Higher Ground International Ministries, Inc. invites you to the 2018 HGIM International Conference With Bishop William Murphy, Bishop John Francis, performance by Cece Winans, and more. Faith Miracle Temple, 870 Pershall Rd., 63137. For more information, visit www.hgim.us.

Sat., July 21, 5 p.m., St. Louis Reconciliation Network invites you to One City/Won City Evening of Prayer & Worship. Mahler Ballroom, 4915 Washington Blvd., 63108. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

July 22 – 27, Church of God in Christ, Inc., Missouri Midwest Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction presents the Third Annual Holy Convocation Kennerly Temple, 4307 Kennerly Ave., 63113. For more information, call (314) 761-5148.

July 22 – 27, Church of God in Christ, Inc., Missouri Midwest Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction presents the Third Annual Holy Convocation Kennerly Temple, 4307 Kennerly Ave., 63113. For more information, call (314) 761-5148.

July 13 – 22, Cinema St. Louis presents the 2018 Whitaker St. Louis Filmmakers Showcase. Films range from full-length features to documentary shorts. Brown School, Washington University, 1 Brookings Dr., 63130. For more information, visit www. cinemastlouis.org.

Fri., July 13, “Sorry to Bother You” starring LaKeith Stanfield, Danny Glover, Tessa Thompson, Omari Hardwick and Terry Crews opens in theatres nationwide.

2D.E.F presents Doug E. Fresh All White Block Party and Fundraiser. For more information, see SPECIAL EVENTS.

released nationally on June 27, 2000.

“We didn’t even think it was going to go gold,” Jay E said. “We were just hoping it would sell enough to where we could do another album. All we really wanted to do was stay consistent.” They were as shocked as everyone else when the album went platinum, then double platinum, then triple platinum and so on. “Country Grammar” was eventually certified diamond (10x platinum). Its phenomenal success 18 years ago paved the way for an entire generation of St. Louis hip-hop.

“I love the fact that more and more artists and producers

and everybody in the art form can make some noise for St. Louis,” Jay E said. “It feels great that we were able to kick that off.”

Next Friday (July 20), Jay E will give some of the artists who have benefited from the legacy of “Country Grammar” and kept the city on hip-hop’s map some shine with a special show at The Pageant. Red Bull Music Presents “The Mind of Jay E” will feature an artist directly inspired by Jay E (Mvstermind), an artist that inspired Jay E (E-40), as well as a list of STL hip-hop heavy hitters who were featured on his album “Jay E Presents In The City Vol.1.” The album was released on Friday, July 6 on all digital outlets and features the likes of Chingy, Murphy Lee, Tef Poe, The Knuckles, Fresco Kane, Ebony Eyez, Keem, Kyjuan and more.

Jay E used the album and the show to continue to give back to the St. Louis hip-hop scene.

“I’m born and raised here,” Jay E said. “I love the sound –and I think we have the poten-

Pathways to Success

Top saving-for-college trends

By

Parents are socking away more money for their children’s higher education, and they are doing so in smarter ways, suggests a new report from Sallie Mae.

One-third of parents saved more for college this year than last, and the average amount saved – $18,135 – is the highest amount reported in the last five years of “How America Saves for College,” a national study by Sallie Mae and Ipsos.

After saving for general needs and emergencies, parents earmark funds for college more than for any other specific purpose, alongside retirement. So, how are they doing it?

To keep their college savings on track, 61 percent of parents contribute a set amount to their college fund on a regular basis. To find more money for college, 30 percent of parents have cut back on discretionary spending, and 27 percent have reduced their household expenses. This year marks the first time that tax-advantaged 529 college savings plans hold the largest share of college savings, at 30 percent.

“Most parents aspire to give their children the opportunity to attend college, and it is encouraging to see them saving more, employing smart habits and taking deliberate actions to make college a reality,” says

Raymond J. Quinlan, chairman and CEO, Sallie Mae. “Our research shows most parents are proactively preparing financially to give their children the advantages of higher education, and having a plan pays off.”

Parents who have planned how they’ll pay for college have saved more than twice as much as those without a plan ($22,169 vs. $9,208). They are also three times more likely to be confident they’ll be able to meet the cost of college (73 percent vs. 27 percent).

To make your college savings plan, Sallie Mae recommends a 1-2-3 approach: first, open a savings account; second, set a goal and make deposits regularly; and third, explore tax-advantaged options such as 529 college savings plans.

Experts say that a dedicated commitment to funding their children’s education, along with a clear strategy for doing so, can help parents reach their college savings goals.

To access the full report, as well as other resources and information about saving for college, visit SallieMae.com/ HowAmericaSaves. To join the conversation on social media, use #HowAmericaSaves.

Sponsored By:

should be looking for soon.

“I’m a big fan of anything that’s keeping it fresh and new – and anything that is keeping it St. Louis,” Jay E said.

Mvstermind says that he spent the time they shared in the studio soaking up knowledge.

“The dude knows how to crank out a hit, “ Mvstermind said.

Though he was shy to gloat, Jay E also has one of the biggest albums in hip-hop history to prove Mvstermind right.

“To this day the record is still holding its value and still inspiring people,” Jay E said.

“It’s a great feeling. That’s what I’m grateful for more so than the record sales.”

tial to be the next Motown or ATL. I’ve always looked out as much as I could for St. Louis artists.”

Mvstermind, recently named a rising artist for Jay-Z’s streaming service Tidal, will kick the show off. Even though they are both St. Louis natives, Mvstermind doesn’t take the opportunity to work with Jay E lightly. “That’s the first time I’ve been in touch with at 10x platinum selling producer,” Mvstermind said. “It’s not like you rub shoulders with that every day here.”

Mvstermind wasn’t featured on the “In The City” album because of timing, but they’ve paired up for some tracks and both said that they have some things cooking up that the city

Mvstermind, who is also a producer, said he was able to use “Country Grammar” as a blueprint and use their shared studio time to learn how to structure beats.

“I was able to look at what he was doing and say, ‘this is how you assemble a hit,’” said Mvstermind. “He has always had the hit formula.”

Bay area hip-hop veteran E-40 will also be featured as the artist who inspired Jay E. He grew up listening to E-40 and used to spin his records back in his days as a DJ.

Jay E was beyond words when he was able to feature E-40 on the “Country Grammar” remix, which also went platinum, but Friday will

be the first time they’ve performed together.

“I remember listening to ‘40 Water,’” Jay E said. “I never imagined that I would share the stage with somebody I grew up listening to.”

It’s a feeling echoed by Mvstermind.

“The fact that I am going to be on the stage with a legend and a person who produced legends is a blessing,” Mvstermind said. “Those are people who have paved the path. They have done so much for the culture and people that I know in the industry today.”

Mastermind has been imagining performing at The Pageant his entire career.

“This is a huge bucket list moment of mine,” said Mvstermind. “ When I get to that stage, I’m gonna handle business because I’ve been waiting for this moment. Actually, I haven’t been waiting for this moment – I’ve been working for this moment.

I’m ready to hit that stage and represent my city to the fullest.”

Red Bull Music Presents St. Louis: The Mind of Jay E will take place on Friday, July 20th at The Pageant. Visit https:// www.redbull.com/us-en/music/ events/presents-st-louis-themind-of-jay-e for tickets. “Jay E Presents In The City Vol.1.” is available for purchase on

Continued from C1

in Kirkwood High School’s music program. She started out wanting to be a classical musician and played for five years with St. Louis Symphony Orchestra Youth Orchestra. Studying songwriting and performance at Berklee, which is known in part for its strong jazz curriculum, she “expanded as an artist and really came into my own,” she said.

It was in a Berklee program based in Valencia, Spain, that she met and impressed Limón, a Grammy Award-winning artist she described as “a Swiss army knife of a musician.” Limón wrote most of the songs on “Black Angels.” Tonina carefully selected three songs by other artists to cover, based on musical styles that inspire her as well as the resume of each artist. She explained some of the thought process that went behind each choice: “The Beatles represent the white rock. And then Nina

Simone, being a classical pianist but writing her own songs and singing and being an activist. And then Nat King Cole, being a singer and then going to Cuba in the ‘40s and singing Cuban songs – and he’s a black male bringing that to America, which was so admirable.”

Republished with permission of St. Louis Public Radio: http://news.stlpublicradio.org/ post/st-louis-musician-toninabridges-gaps-between-languages-and-musical-styles

PHOTO SOURCE: (c) Rawpixel.com/stock.Adobe.com

The St. Louis American Staff

TONINA

Jay E

noticed the cultural disconnect.

The only person who looked like him was cleaning up after the elephants. So, he made creating a circus that spoke to his experience his life’s work.

Twenty-five years later, Walker’s UniverSoul Circus is bigger than ever. The 25th anniversary show is being billed the “Faster Funkier Louder” tour.

“It’s like everything you love about the UniverSoul circus, but on steroids,” Brown said. They have two tours happening simultaneously right now.

One group is currently preparing for its first ever European tour – which opens in Scotland.

The other is on its way to St. Louis from July 12-22 in the tailgate lot of The Dome at America’s Center.

“One of the most beautiful things I experience is the connection that takes place between the people in the ring and the people in the seats,” Brown said. “When you come to the UniverSoul Circus, you just don’t come to the circus –you become a part of the circus. It’s about spreading happiness and joy. We get to do it across the country, and now around the world.”

The opportunity to spread joy to people of all cultures from the African American perspectives is among the many things that Brown enjoys about his job of guiding the audience through the UniverSoul Circus experience.

“It’s a wonderful thing to be a representative of what I believe is the essence of being African American – and that’s

excellence, greatness, extremely wonderful talent and joy,” Brown said. “African American culture doesn’t always get the opportunity to be portrayed in the best light. Yes, this is the black circus, but it is so much more in that it gives people from all cultures and backgrounds to share in our amazingly rich culture.”

to the anti-immigration and racist rhetoric that has dominated headlines. “What we do goes against every negative narrative in this current social and political climate,” Brown said. The UniverSoul Circus counters the divisiveness and hatred of the Trump era, but it does not address it.

The show is strictly about the bliss and awe of a circus experience designed for a population that was generally ignored by the mainstream circus community.

And while those circuses have failed to capture new audiences (including the now defunct Ringling Bros. & Barnum and Bailey Circus), UniverSoul Circus has continued to grow and thrive.

n The show is strictly about the bliss and awe of a circus experience designed for a population that was generally ignored by the mainstream circus community.

The best way to describe UniverSoul is equal parts circus and African American family reunion. The “oohs and ahhs” elicited from daring stunts, acrobatics and animal tricks are paired with R&B and hiphop music that the audience is encouraged to groove along with. The family vibe also extends to the other side of the ring. “We have acts from Trinidad and Tobago, Cuba, China, Mongolia and Africa. Every corner of the world,” Brown said. “To be able to work together as a family in one ring, overcoming language barriers, cultural barriers and watching this group of people become a family is one of the greatest things I will have ever experienced.”

Brown feels that the success the black-owned-and-operated institution has found in diversity sends a powerful response

In addition to the expanded tour, Walker has reconfigured the tent to allow for motorcycle jumpers to join the roster of edge of your seat performances. Brown says that St. Louis should prepare for an entire spectrum of emotions from nail-biting stunts to the urge to break it down as part of a Soul Train line.

“When you come to the UniverSoul Circus, I want you to completely suspend your ability to worry. You can’t worry about bills, money or relationships,” Brown said. “You have to tell yourself ‘I’m going to be a kid again.’ If you come with that, you will have the best time of your life.”

The 25th anniversary tour of the UniverSoul Circus will take place from July 12-22 at The Dome at America’s Center. Tickets are available at ticketmaster.com or by calling (314) 231-4445. For more information on UniverSoul Circus, visit www.universoulcircus.com.

Fellowship creates opportunities for underrepresented museum professionals

The Saint Louis Art Museum annually welcomes a young arts professional to join the staff as its Romare Bearden Graduate Museum Fellow. The one-year paid mentoring fellowship was created more than 25 years ago to increase the number of professional staff from underrepresented backgrounds working in museums. After a national search, Jade Powers was selected as the 2017-2018 Romare Bearden Graduate Museum Fellow and has spent the year working cross-departmentally on many different projects.

Powers worked with curators, educators and designers to create a trifold brochure and gallery guide highlighting works in the Museum’s collection by artists of African descent. The interactive gallery guide is the first of its kind to highlight some of the works by artists of African descent in the Museum’s collection that are on view. The free guide is available at the visitors desk. She also had an opportunity to lead a docent training focused on art from southern India, her area of expertise.

breadth to the Museum’s holdings of works by African-American artists. Powers’ research and writings will be available for viewing on slam. org later this year.

Powers’ final program at the Saint Louis Art Museum will be a gallery talk that includes viewing and discussing works influenced by Mexican muralists and culture. We hope that you will join Powers on Thursday, July 19 at 11 am or Friday, July 20 at 6 pm as she focuses on Mexican and Latinx artists’ relationships and connections with artists of color from throughout diaspora. The Museum offers free gallery talks each Thursday and Friday led by educators, historians and art enthusiasts highlighting works on view in the collection.

Jade Powers, Romare Bearden Graduate Museum

Fellow,

Powers actively engages audiences of all ages from fourth graders in the Arts in the Basic Curriculum program, to high school students facilitating the Museum’s Teen Arts Council, to SLAM Underground—a free party on the last Friday of each month with off-beat collection tours, cash bar, music and hands-on art projects.

One of the many highlights of Power’s fellowship is her research for the Thelma and Bert Ollie Memorial Collection. She has had the privilege to interview Ronald Ollie, a native of St. Louis now residing in New Jersey, as well as many conversations with artists in the Ollie Memorial Collection. Ronald Maurice Ollie and his wife Monique McRipley Ollie donated 81 abstract works of art by African American artists earlier year, a gift tht added significant depth and

2017- 18

At the end of July, Powers will bid St. Louis farewell as she begins the next chapter of her career as assistant curator at the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art in Kansas City. Jade is an Indiana native with a master’s degree in religious studies from Indiana University Bloomington and a bachelor’s degree in art history and religious studies from DePauw University. She enjoys traveling and learning new languages. Her studies have taken her to both India and Bangladesh and have helped her to advance her study of the Bengali language. Studies have also taken her to Turkey, Morocco and Italy. Her interests deal with identity displayed through artwork, particularly religious identity and the formation of national identities after India gained independence from Britain and after Bangladesh separated from what is now Pakistan. Before joining the Saint Louis Art Museum, Jade worked at the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis as a facilitator leading tours that focused on NASA and the International Space Station.

The man who mentored Jack Daniel

Nearest Green and St. Louis’ impact on an iconic whiskey

By Kristie Lein For The St. Louis American

The Missouri Historical Society recently caught up with best-selling author Fawn Weaver. She also created the Nearest Green Foundation – an organization that honors the life of Nearest Green, an enslaved man who taught Jack Daniel the craft of distilling whiskey. Weaver will discuss Green’s life during a lecture at the Missouri History Museum on Wednesday, July 18 at 6 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

Missouri Historical Society: You first learned about Nearest Green when you read about him in a New York Times story. What was it that resonated with you and inspired you to research and honor Green’s life?

Fawn Weaver: I am a research junkie. It has always been my favorite pastime. I see a topic in the news, and I will spend hours researching it until I fall asleep. What caused me to want to honor his life was how that research led me to his family and the African-American elders of Lynchburg, Tennessee, who’d long heard stories about Nearest but could never prove they were true. When I met with one of Nearest’s descendants, I was still up in the air as to how deep I’d go into researching this. This descendant’s wife looked at me and said, “I don’t know why I feel I have to say this, but I need you to know: I am so proud of you!” With her eyes welling up, I knew this was important to their family and community.

Missouri Historical Society: What was St. Louis’s role in the history of Jack Daniel Distillery?

Fawn Weaver: Well, let’s first begin with St. Louis’ amazing role in the life of the Jack Daniel’s brand even before their distillery moved here. In 1904, a 5-foot-2-inch-tall man shocked the whiskey world when he traveled by train to the St. Louis World’s Fair and entered his unique whiskey from Tennessee. No one had a clue who he was, and whiskey companies from overseas were undoubtedly planning to walk home with the gold medal. But this man – who more than made up for his short stature with his

grand ambitions – created quite the stir when his whiskey won the gold. He returned to Lynchburg undoubtedly on cloud nine. Unfortunately, he would be brought down to reality quite quickly. The temperance movement had a long history in Tennessee, and by 1907 alcohol was banned in most of the state. Not long after, Jack drafted a living will that turned the distillery over to his nephews Dick and Lem. Some internal jockeying ensued, and the distillery ended up solely in the hands of Lem. Just four years later Jack Daniel passed away, and his nephew would be forced to navigate Prohibition. With the passage of a statewide prohibition act in 1909, Lem knew he had a very short time before his whiskey would be taken by the government. He began looking for another location and chose St. Louis. Little did he know Prohibition would become the law of the land a decade later, and he’d be stuck with over 1,000 barrels of whiskey aging in a warehouse. For the 10 years it operated in St. Louis, the distillery had tremendous success. If it weren’t for St. Louis, the brand would have likely been like all the others in Tennessee that shuttered their doors and only recently reopened due to the current whiskey boom.

Missouri Historical Society: Tell us more about the connections you’ve made with Green’s living descendants

Fawn Weaver: They have become family. The eldest descendant in St. Louis, Theresa McGilberry, is my Aunt Tee. In 2016 I founded the Nearest Green Foundation, and one of the things we do to honor Nearest is underwrite the education of every one of his living descendants that are in college. There are actually two from St. Louis who are currently under full scholarship at the colleges of their choice. So I have the immense pleasure of being a part of the family’s life here in St. Louis, and I can invest in their future to help them continue Nearest’s legacy of excellence.

Missouri Historical Society: What feeling do you hope the people who attend your lecture will come away with?

Fawn Weaver: My father used to say, “No matter the question, love is always the right answer.” If folks leave feeling uplifted and empowered and having felt as though they’ve heard a remarkable story of honor and respect, that is all I can hope to achieve. Truly, I’m excited to have Aunt Tee share the stage with me. Usually, it’s just me talking about Nearest. But this time I get to do it with one of his eldest descendants, and that makes my heart happy and extraordinarily proud.

Historical Society Collections

The Jack Daniel Distillery Company Building at 4000 Duncan Ave. in St. Louis.

Celebrations

Scholars Awarded

The Hazelwood School District Parent Teacher Association Council awarded $32,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors. Sixty four members of the Class of 2018 received $500 college scholarships in recognition of their academic achievement. Since its inception, the Hazelwood PTA Council Scholarship Program has awarded 3,300 scholarships, totaling more than $3.4 million.

Reunions

All reunion announcements can be viewed online!

Beaumont High School Class of 1968 will celebrate its 50-year reunion June 22-24, 2018 at the Sheraton Westport Chalet, 191 Westport Plaza. For more information, please contact Vanetta Cobbs, 314869-5665 or email vanetta. cobbs@sbcglobal.net.

Beaumont High Class of 1973 will celebrate its 45-year reunion, Aug. 10-12, 2018! To register contact: Dr. Liz Franklin at,

mychoice2succeed@yahoo. com or (636)293-9553. Also, check out the BHS Facebook page.

Beaumont High Class of 1978 40th Reunion Extravaganza. Save the date: October 5-7, 2018. Call or text Marietta Shegog Shelby at 314-7995296 for further details.

Northwest Class of 1979 is planning on cruising for our 40-year reunion and would love for you to join us! Date to sail is set for July 20, 2019 and you can feel free to contact: Duane Daniels at 314-568-2057 or Howard Day at 414-698-4261 for further information. Please don’t miss the boat!

Productive Futures (19842006) is planning an allgraduate reunion in July 2018. Please send your

name, address and telephone number to: Productive Futures Graduates, PO Box 300322, St. Louis, MO 63130 or call 314440-3855.

Roosevelt High Class of 1968 50-year reunion is Saturday, July 7, 2018 at Schlafly Tap Room, 2100 Locust Street, 6 pm-10 pm, dinner buffet and open bar. Contact Jan Simpson for details at jsimpson@ sedeyharper.com.

St. Rose of Lima (Goodfellow & Etzel, closed 1977) will host an all-class reunion on Saturday, Sept. 8th, Jewel Center, 407 Dunn Rd. See www.strosereunion.com for details.

Sumner High School Class of 1973 will have its 45-year reunion the weekend of June 22-24, 2018. More info to follow outlining the details.

Sweet 16

Wishing my beautiful daughter, Chyna Moná, a Happy Sweet 16th Birthday. Embrace each day. Laugh often. Smile like you mean it. Seek your own style. Think your own way. Trust your gut. Be bold, be sweet and always be yourself! -ML

If you did not receive a newsletter in January, please contact Marsha Joseph-Williams (314-6068701) or Dorris SimmonsMcGhaw(314-541-2462). You can also inbox Sid S. Shurn or Dorris on Facebook.

Vashon High Class of 1973 will celebrate its 45-year reunion on Saturday, August 11, 2018 in St. Louis. We’re still in the process of rounding up all of our graduates and would love for you all to contact us. Please email us at tpjgramells@ aol.com for additional information. You may also RSVP and pay by going to VashonHigh1973.myevent. com. For those not on the internet, please call Terri (Bell) Johnson 314-3132113.

McKinley High Class of 1978 40-year reunion will take place July 27-29, 2018 at the Embassy Suites-Airport Hotel in St. Louis. Classmates from all McKinley H.S. classes are invited. Registration is required. To register, contact Barbara Lindsey, Barbara_ Lindsey@icloud.com or Marvin Woods, mwoods@ projectcontrolsgroup.com or (314) 647-0707.

OF

Do you have a celebration you’re proud of? If so we would like to share your good news with our readers. Whether it’s a birth, wedding, engagement announcement, anniversary, retirement or birthday, send your photos and a brief announcement (50 words or less) to us and we may include it in our paper and website – AT NO COST – as space is available Photos will not be returned. Send your announcements to: kdaniel@stlamerican. com or mail to:

St. Louis American Celebrations c/o Kate Daniel 2315 Pine St. St. Louis, MO 63103

Reunion notices are free of charge and based on space availability. We prefer that notices be emailed to us! However, notices may also be sent by mail to:

Kate Daniel, 2315 Pine St., St. Louis, MO 63103

Vashon High School will celebrate its 90th anniversary October 5-7, 2018 for alumni, students and community activities to celebrate educational commitment and tradition. For additional information, go to Vashonhigh. org or contact Elvis Hopson, elvishopson@att.net, (314) 535-0243, Pearl Lake, lakep6@ aol.com, (314) 388-0743 or Cozy W. Marks, Jr., jr3810@ sbcglobal.net, (314) 383-5682.

Deadline is 10 a.m. on Friday. If you’d like your class to be featured in a reunion profile, email or mail photos to us. Our email address is: reunions@ stlamerican.com

A hilarious ‘Hart in the City.’ When I tell you that the city should be super proud of how the talent and the audience showed up and showed out Thursday night at The Laugh Lounge for a special taping of an episode of “Hart In The City.” For those that don’t know, “Hart in The City” is presented by Kevin Hart and airs on Comedy Central. It goes to cities outside the entertainment meccas to spread some shine on the comedy talent around the nation. Listen, St. Louis tore it up so tough that show producer and Plastic Cup Boyz member Joey Wells got raw emotional and overjoyed. He said the last city was so rough that they questioned why they were even doing the show in the first place. Cleveland, we are forever grateful that y’all gave us Bone Thugs and Harmony – but what were y’all going through? A whole TV show almost got the chop because of y’all! I know that St. Louis has the unfair advantage of being a city full of “joanin’ specialists,” but still. Our folks were so on fire with the funny that I’m a bit nervous that it might look all wobbly on TV because the camera crew was probably cackling on the job. Princeton Dew, Tahir Moore and Vincent Bryant were chosen to rep the city and they did it to the fullest. Maurice G served as the host. Can anybody tell me how he manages to get finer every year? And I’m talking “somebody could catfish me with his picture and I would play along just to see his likeness popping up in my inbox on the regular” fine. He was phenomenal as a host. Out of full transparency, I must share that he’s such a joy to look at, I would have said the same thing if he had sat up on that stage and read the jokes inside of Laffy Taffy square wrappers! Princeton and Tahir did their thing as I expected. But I was thrilled that this fresh-faced Vincent got up there and killed it with his unassuming self. I stay out in these comedy streets and had never heard of him. How is that possible? And “P. Diddy Bad Boys of Comedy” alum McGriff hit the stage and showed everybody STL “been had jokes.” Anyway, Jessie and Ant over at The Laugh Lounge for rising to the occasion that “Hart in The City” presented. St. Louis left a major impression on the comedy scene thanks to y’all. Now let me offer a moment of silence for Cleveland.

Fly Fireworks on a Tuesday. Am I the only one who feels like they are still caught up in that wonky mid-week holiday? It was a mess logistically, but y’all started that turn-up on Tuesday without hesitation. I scooted over to the Pepper Lounge for Fireworks, the sexy set powered by Shift58/Ono Celebrations/Story. I was thrilled to see BFree on deck as well. I feel like they dropped the ball on the event’s name, but I loved the vibe – and the girls put their rompers to the side for full-fledged freakum dresses. It was so packed that barely made it past the door in the backroom/dance area, but still managed to get every bit of my life from the party. Everybody’s boss must have been kind enough to give them a half day, because there was a line stretched out the side door by 10 p.m. Y’all were clearly ready to get into the Independence Day nightlife shenanigans – and looked fabulous doing it.

Let the day parties begin. I made sure to show my support to the cohort of promoters that officially kicked off the Sunday day party season with a set at House of Soul. Is it me, or in previous years, do Sunday day parties pop off after St. Patrick’s Day and continue through Thanksgiving? I had an errand to run and got there early – and was a bit nervous when it was slow to fill. However, I doubled back after I made my run and it was poppin’ my neighbor’s 4th of July fireworks display in the heart of Jennings – which put Fair St. Louis to shame and is still happening nightly as of July 10. Yes, you care about my lack of sleep. Back to the day party. All of the folks made their way through before it was said and done. So many of my favorites were on that patio that I would need a whole Partyline to properly name-drop. I was thrilled to see Mr. “Right Thurr” himself in the building. That’s right, St. Louis’ own Chingy was among the influencers and tastemakers who rolled through. The weather was perfect, and the party made the most of it.

A holiday karaoke marathon. Did I miss karaoke being christened as the national 4th of July weekend black people pastime? Seriously, the folks were deep up in W back-to-back. I actually believe it three days in a row, but one of them was a private party and I’m not sure if it was held on the same day as one of the others. I stopped through Friday night and had a good little time on that front stage. I was particularly impressed with the leader of a trio who performed Destiny’s Child’s “Soldier.” She was giving “Fighting Temptations” Beyonce as opposed to Mrs. Carter, but she was still good – especially for karaoke. Sadly, I can’t really say the same for her Michelle and Kelly stand-ins Shoutout to STL in the NO. I knew that “Girls Trip” was going to guarantee an epic, but supremely congested ESSENCE Festival – which is one of the reasons I decided to sit this year out. Y’all had me wishing I had made peace with being piled on top of folks and powered through to New Orleans the way STL was representing. I’m not going to start naming names, because I know I will leave people off and they will be in their feelings. But I must give a shout out to Dameon Christian. Sir, you were serving with those hats even though I wouldn’t have wanted to be your seat neighbor for a couple of the more robust ones. Why was I peeping through the pics on Nola.com and saw him perched on a slideshow of the 29 favorite photos from the whole weekend – all up in the mix with shots of Queen Latifah and Mary J. Blige. He wasn’t the only one doing it big amongst the half a million folks that made their way there this year.

Sammy, Black Girls Hustle Harder creator Keosha and Keshia @ the Black Girls Hustle Harder Expo and Block Party Saturday afternoon in Old North

Motivational speakers Koran and LaPortcia Bolden came through to check out Day Party STL Sunday @ House of Soul

Birthday girl Lisa (center) celebrated with Angel and Jody Friday night @ W Karaoke Lounge

Tastemakers Takiyah and Tracie added to the ambience of Fireworks Tuesday @ The Pepper Lounge

Princess Stormm, Bri, Kory, Deerra and April rolled deep into the Day Party STL Sunday @ House of Soul

Misha and Chef Jack popped into Day Party STL just in the nick of time Sunday afternoon @ The House of Soul

Tish and Hofton Nelson came through to check out the karaoke Friday night @ W Karaoke Lounge

Ladies in red Keyanna and Jay hit up Energy Saturday night @ The Marquee All eyes were on beauties Ashle and Taylor Sunday @ Day Party STL @ House of Soul Bell and Julia were in the place to be Sunday afternoon for Day Party STL @ House of Soul

STL’s own rap star Chingy and Niddy were just a few of the influencers who stopped through The Day Party STL Sunday afternoon at House of Soul.

DIRECTOR, WORKFORCE INITIATIVES

Area Resources for Community and Human Services (ARCHS) is seeking a results-oriented, Director, Workforce Initiatives. Duties will include the management, hands-on strategic support, and monitoring of workforce development related grants. This position requires a strong foundation in managing workforce programs for populations with significant barriers to employment into high-quality jobs/careers. Experience with job development and employer engagement is beneficial. Knowledge of contract compliance, documentation/results reporting, and assessment/evaluation is necessary, as are strong meeting facilitation, community relations, and project management skills. Candidates should possess a Bachelor’s in Business, Education, Sociology, Social Work, or related fields (Masters a plus), excellent writing and presentation skills, and strong competence in database management and Microsoft® Office. Email letter of application, resume and salary history by August 15, 2018 to careers@stlarchs.org or Fax to HR, 314-289-5670. NO phone calls please.

VISITINGASSISTANT PROFESSOR

The School of Communications at Webster University invites applications for a non-tenure track Visiting Assistant Professor position in Media Communications and Media Studies. Please visit our website at https:// webster.peopleadmin.com/ for a complete job description. No phone calls please. We are proud to be an equal opportunity affirmative action employer. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.

COORDINATOR

The St. Louis Area Violence Prevention Commission seeks a full-time Coordinator to support a regional effort to reduce and prevent violence. Strong project management experience is a must. Apply by July 31, 2018. See www.stlmhb.com for more details.

State of MissouriDepartment of Mental Health Direct Care Openings Great Benefits! South County and St. Charles Starting at $10.83/hr.

Please contact: Elaine Tomlin 636-926-1315

Elaine.tomlin@dmh.mo.gov

LEGAL ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale, P.C. has an opening for a full-time Legal Administrative Assistant for the St. Louis office. This position will assist attorneys to help steer the delivery of legal services with the use of technical skills and manage work flow processes. We are looking for a professional that understands the importance of quality service, contributes in a team environment and willing to continually learn and grow with our Firm. Therefore, strong teamwork and communication skills are highly desired. Qualified applicants will have strong typing and computer skills, excellent attention to detail, proofreading and organization skills. Experience with Microsoft Word, Excel and Adobe are required. Candidates can apply online at http://www.greensfelder.com/careers. html. EOE

TRANSPORTATION

ANALYST I

East-West Gateway Council of Governments has an opening for a TransportationAnalyst I position. Starting salary is $43,188 annually. Please follow the link to view post at http://www.ewgateway.org/careers/. An Equal Opportunity / AffirmativeAction Employer

ENTERPRISE

PROGRAM MANAGER

Senior level professional position which contributes to the accomplishment of project/ program management practices and objectives that will achieve business goals and objectives. Works without immediate supervision and direction. Leads and mentors others within Program Management. Demonstrates advanced working knowledge and concepts of Information Technology. To apply, please visit: www.safetynational.com and click on the Careers tab.

SHIRT LAUNDRY

FINANCIALAID COUNSELOR

Webster University has an opening for a Financial Aid Counselor. Please visit our website at https:// webster.peopleadmin.com/ for a complete job description. No phone calls please. We are proud to be an equal opportunity affirmative action employer. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.

St.

FT CAREGIVER

FT CAREGIVER at L’Arche

St. Louis. Salary + excellent benefits. Meaning, self-discovery, & professional development while providing valuable service with a committed team. You belong! Find out more & apply: larchestlouis.org/were-hiring

MISSOURI HISTORICAL SOCIETY NEW OPENINGS

The Missouri Historical Society has position openings for the following:

• Coordinator, President’s Office

• Editor • Exhibition Designer

• ProcessingAssistant (American Legion Collection)

• ReservationsAssistant

• Visual MaterialsAssociate ProcessingArchivist

Please visit www.mohistory.org under the “Current Openings” tab for position details and to apply.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS

The Missouri Historical Society has a position opening for a Director of Marketing and Communications. Visit www.mohistory.org for position details and to apply. An Equal Opportunity Employer

ACCOUNTANT

SLDC

TYPIST CLERK II

Administrative and professional position of routine difficulty, involving carrying out specific staff projects or assignments. Gathering, organizing, evaluating and summarizing information relevant to assignments. HS Diploma with course work in typing and office procedures plus one (1) year of prior related Customer Service experience. Must demonstrate typing skill of 30 wpm. Salary $30,426Annually.Apply or send resume to: St. Louis HousingAuthority, HR Division, 3520 Page Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63106 by 5p, June 25, 2018 via website www.slha.org or email athomas@slha.org.ADrug Free Work Place/EOE.

AND POLICY COORDINATOR The Missouri State Employees’ Retirement System (MOSERS) is recruiting for an ambitious individual with a public retirement background. The Legislative & Policy Coordinator is responsible for reviewing and monitoring

ment; coordinating and conducting legislative review meetings and legislation implementation meetings ; researching topics and writing white papers related to MOSERS business or benefits, and maintaining effective relations with legislators and their staff. Minimum requirements for the position include a bachelor’s degree from an accredited fouryear college or university with specialization in business, public administration, economics, finance, personnel or related field and 5-7 years of progressively responsible experience in the area of public employee benefits or similar relevant experience. Salary is dependent on qualifications. Qualified candidates can apply and learn more about the position and full benefit package online at www mosers.org, click careers. Apply by 7/23/18. EOE:M/F/V/D

LATERALENTRY

City ofAlton, IL

Must have been a full-time Police Officer See website for further requirements and link to online application www.cityofaltonil.com/careers Deadline for applications: July 31, 2018

BIDS

Great Rivers Greenway is seeking bids for improvements to Centennial Greenway: Delmar Blvd and I-170 in University City, Missouri. Check https://greatriversgreenway.org/ jobs-bids/ and submit by 2pm July 26, 2018.

METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS SEWER DISTRICT Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is accepting proposals in the Purchasing Division, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103-2555 until 10:00 a.m. on August 6th, 2018 to contract with a company for: Video Production Services. Specifications and bid forms may be obtained from www.stlmsd.com, click on the “MSD AT WORK” link, (bid opportunities). The bid document will be identified as 9443 RFP. If you do not have access to the internet, call 314.768.2735 to request a copy of this bid. Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Public Notice of Single Source Procurement

Specifications and bid forms may be obtained from www.stlmsd.com, click on the “MSD

link, (bid

tunities).

will be identified as 9453 RFQ. If you do not have access to the internet, call 314.768.2735 to request a copy of this bid. Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is proposing to procure: Horizon Technology TurboVap and DryVap Systems. The District is proposing single source procurement to Horizon Technology for this equipment because Horizon is a match to the current equipment being utilized. Any inquiries should be sent to ltreat@stlmsd.com.

Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS

SEWER DISTRICT

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District will receive sealed bids in the Purchasing Division, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103-2555 until 10:00am August 17, 2018 for: DIGESTER HEAT EXCHANGER REPLACEMENT

Specifications and bid forms may be obtained from www.stlmsd.com - click on “MSD At Work”, then “Bidding on Projects”. The bid document will be identified as 9468 RFQ. If you do not have access to the internet, call (314) 7686314 to request a copy of this bid. Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Public Notice of Single Source Procurement

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is proposing to procure: Title Quote Support (Annual). The District is proposing single source procurement to Amitech Solutions for this service. Any inquiries should be sent to ameyer@stlmsd.com.

METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS SEWER DISTRICT Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District will receive RFQ’s in the Purchasing Division, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103-2555 until 10:00 a.m. on August 9, 2018 to contract with a company for: VEHICLE BATTERIES.

Specifications and bid forms may be obtained from www.stlmsd.com, click on the “MSD AT WORK” link, (bid opportunities). The bid document will be identified as 9466 RFQ. If you do not have access to the internet, call 314-768-6254 to request a copy of this bid. Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District

CITY OF ST. LOUIS REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL FOR TEMPORARY STAFFING SERVICES

The City of St. Louis (City), by and through the Department of Personnel, is seeking proposals for the provision of temporary staffing services. The City plans to enter into a two-year contract for these services beginning approximately September 1, 2018, with a provision to extend the contract(s) for an additional two one year periods, upon written agreement of the parties. The contract(s) will be subject to termination by the City upon thirty (30) days written notice with or without cause and without penalty, damage or forfeiture. The temporary staffing services will be provided directly to the operating departments of the City.

Requests for proposals may be downloaded from the City of St. Louis website at: https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/ government/departments/personnel/documents/ temporary-staffing-services-rfp.cfm

The proposals must be delivered to the Department of Personnel on or before 4:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time, July 27, 2018. Proposals may be hand delivered or mailed to: Department of Personnel, Recruitment and Examination Section, Attention: Bryan Boeckelmann, 1114 Market Street, Room 700, St. Louis, Missouri 63101-2043

METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS SEWER DISTRICT

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District will receive RFQ’s in the Purchasing Division, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103-2555 until 10:00 a.m. on July 27, 2018 to contract with a company for: ROOF REPLACEMENT FOR PRAIRIE (P-150) PUMP STATION. Specifications and bid forms may be obtained from www.stlmsd.com, click on the “MSD AT WORK” link, (bid opportunities). The bid document will be identified as 9441 RFQ. If you do not have access to the internet, call 314.768.6269 to request a copy of this bid.

Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

SEALED BIDS

for Repair Concrete F l o o r s , P o w e r House, Farmington Correction Center, F a r m i n g t o n , Missouri, , Project No. C1812-01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 8/2/2018. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http://oa.mo. gov/ facilities

METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS SEWER DISTRICT Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is accepting proposals in the Purchasing Division, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103-2555 until 10:00 a.m. on August 1st, 2018 to contract with a company for: Annual Diversity Report Services. Specifications and bid forms may be obtained from www.stlmsd.com, click on the “MSD AT WORK” link, (bid opportunities). The bid document will be identified as 9456 RFP. If you do not have access to the internet, call 314.768.2735 to request a copy of this bid.

Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Sealed bids for 2017 Southwest County ITS Segments, St. Louis County Project No. AR-1646, will be received at the Office of the Director of Procurement for the County of St. Louis, County Government Center Administration Building, 41 South Central Avenue, 8th Floor, Clayton, Missouri 63105, until 2:00 p.m. on July 18, 2018

Plans and specifications will be available on June 25, 2018 from the St. Louis County Web Site (www.stlouisco.com), or by contacting County Blue Reprographics, Inc., 1449 Strassner Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63144, (314) 961-3800.

DIRECTOR OF PROCUREMENT AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES ST. LOUIS, COUNTY

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Construction of Bldg. at Ranken Technical College 4301 Finney IFB# 2018-563, Due July 20, 2018, 12 pm, Demien Const. Co. 636.332.5500 / Fax 636.332.5465 / Call for Email

SEALED BIDS

for Pavement Repairs, Benton /Clark Rd, Camp Crowder Tr a i n i n g S i t e , Neosho, Missouri, Project No. T1826-01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 8/2/2018. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http://oa.mo. gov/ facilities

SEALED BIDS

for CRoof Replacement, Kirksville Regional Office, Kirksville, Missouri, Project N o . M 1 7 0 6 - 0 1 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, July 12, 2018. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http://oa.mo. gov/ facilities

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Notice is hereby given that The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (District) will receive sealed bids for Hoffmeister - Pardella Storm Sewer Improvements under Letting No. 11647-015.1, at this office, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103, until 02:00 PM on Wednesday, August 08, 2018, at a place designated. Bids will be received only from companies that are pre-qualified by the District’s Engineering Department for: SEWER CONSTRUCTION – St. Louis County drainlayer’s license required Plans and Specifications are available for free electronic download. Please go to MSD’s website and look for a link to “ELECTRONIC PLANROOM.” Plans and Specifications are also available for viewing or purchase at Cross Rhodes Reprographics located at 1712 Macklind Avenue, St. Louis MO 63110. All bidders must obtain a set of plans and specifications in order to submit a bid in the name of the entity submitting the bid. The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

FSMC Request for Proposal and Contract

St. Louis Catholic Academy is requesting bids to operate its food service program for the 2018-2019 school year. St. Louis Catholic Academy serves breakfast, lunch and snacks to approximately 140 students. Meals are served Monday thru Friday, and follows the USDA Federal School Lunch guidelines set by DESE. Interested companies may visit the school on July 19, 2018 at 12:00PM in order to view the cafeteria and ask any questions. Proposals will be due by July 20, 2018 at 12:00PM. The school’s address is 4720 Carter Ave. St. Louis, MO 63115. You may contact the principal, Sandra Morton at (314) 389-0401 or principal444@stlcatholicacademy.org

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Sealed bids for Summit Road CRS

Overlay, St. Louis County Project No. CR-1575, will be received at the Office of the Director of Procurement for the County of St. Louis, County Government Center Administration Building, 41 South Central Avenue, 8th Floor, Clayton, Missouri 63105, until 2:00 p.m. on July 18, 2018.

Plans and specifications will be available on June 25, 2018 from the St. Louis County Web Site (www.stlouisco.com), or by contacting County Blue Reprographics, Inc., 1449 Strassner Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63144, (314) 961-3800.

DIRECTOR OF PROCUREMENT AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES ST. LOUIS, COUNTY

METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS SEWER DISTRICT Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District will receive RFQ’s in the Purchasing Division, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103-2555 until 10:00 a.m. on July 27, 2018 to contract with a company for: ROOF REPLACEMENT FOR PRAIRIE (P-150) PUMP STATION. Specifications and

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Sealed bids for Lucas-Hunt Road (South) ARS Infrastructure project, St. Louis County Project No. AR-1586, will be received at the Office of the Director of Procurement for the County of St. Louis, County Government Center Administration Building, 41 South Central Avenue, 8th Floor, Clayton, Missouri 63105, until 2:00 p.m. on July 18, 2018

Plans and specifications will be available on June 25, 2018 from the St. Louis County Web Site (www.stlouisco.com), or by contacting County Blue Reprographics, Inc., 1449 Strassner Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63144, (314) 961-3800.

DIRECTOR OF PROCUREMENT AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES ST. LOUIS, COUNTY

SEALED BIDS

for R e p l a c e Vi n y l Flooring, Poplar Bluff Regional Office, Poplar Bluff, MO, Project No. M1812-01 will be received by FMDC, State of MO, UNTIL 1:30 PM, 7/26/2018. For specific project information and ordering plans, go to: http://oa.mo. gov/

Public Notice of Single Source Procurement

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is proposing to procure: Accela Civic Cloud Hosting. The District is proposing single source procurement to Accela for this service because the annual renewal of cloud hosting is due. Any inquiries should be sent to ameyer@stlmsd.com.

Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

BID PROPOSAL

KCI Construction requests subcontract proposals from MBE and WBE businesses for the Fiery Fork Conservation Area Bridge Improvements (Camden County), Missouri Department of Conservation, Jefferson City, MO. Project Job #81-03-03

Plans and specifications are available

• To view electronically at no charge from: http://mdc.adsmo.net

• To view at our Camdenton office: 5505 Old South 5, Camdenton, MO 65020

• By a Dropbox Link from jmorrow@kciconstruction.com

All potential bidders are asked to attend the pre-bid on June 5th at 1:00 PM

Subcontractor bids are due by 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 19, 2018. You may email bids to jmorrow@kciconstruction.com or send a fax to 573-346-9739. Please call if you have any questions: 314-200-6496.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

The America’s Center is seeking proposals from qualified companies to provide an upgrade path for its Nortel Networks Meridian 1 telephone switch. Requests for Proposals are available between Monday, July 2 and Friday, July 13, 2018 by contacting Alan Van Bevern, 314.992.0672 or via email at avanbevern@explorestlouis.com. Mandatory proposal conference July 18, 2018 at 10:00 am CDT. Proposals are due by Friday, July 27, 2018 at 4:00 pm CDT. America’s Center reserves the right to reject any or all proposals. EOE

NOTICE OF NUISANCE HEARING

Please take notice that pursuant to City of Berkeley Municipal Code Section 505.080 the Building Commissioner of the City of Berkeley, Missouri will hold a public hearing on July 10, 2018, at 1:00 PM, in the Berkeley City Hall, 8425 Airport Rd, Berkeley Missouri 63134, to determine whether the following structure is a public nuisance and detrimental to the health, safety or welfare of the residents of the City of Berkeley Missouri.

THE STRUCTURE DESCRIBED BELOW HAS BEEN DECLARED A DANGEROUS BUILDING:

The one story single family dwelling known and numbered as 8432 St. Olaf Dr, on Lot 26, Berkeley Frostwood Park, a subdivision in St. Louis County, Missouri according to the plat thereof recorded in Plat Book 22408 Page 773 of the St. Louis County Records.

The one story single family dwelling known and numbered as 8550 Frost Avenue, Lot 364, Frostwood Park, Plat 10, subdivision in St. Louis County, Missouri according to the plat thereof recorded in Plat Book 18193 Page 3435 of the St. Louis County Records.

The one story single family dwelling known and numbered as 8466 Bayberry Dr on Lot 220, Frostwood Plat 9, a subdivision in St. Louis County, Missouri according to the plat thereof recorded in Plat Book 18144 Page 1804 of the St. Louis County Records.

The one story single family dwelling known and numbered as 8046 Aline Dr, on Block 2, Lot 6 Berkeley Orchards, a subdivision in St. Louis County, Missouri according to the plat thereof recorded in Plat Book 07857 Page 0302 of the St. Louis County Records.

The one story single family dwelling known and numbered as 8055 Aline Drive, on Lot 24, Berkeley Orchards, a subdivision in St. Louis County, Missouri, according to the plat thereof recorded in Plat Book 20086 Page 4400 of the St. Louis County Records.

The one story single family dwelling known and numbered as 6127 Wulff, on lot 24, Berkeley Orchards Add, a subdivision in St. Louis County, Missouri according to the plat thereof recorded in Plat Book 17700 Page 5424 of the St. Louis County Records.

The one story single family dwelling known and numbered as 8322 Fay, on Lot 25, Nordell Hills, a subdivision in St. Louis County, Missouri according to the plat thereof recorded in Plat Book 17130 Page 1610 of the St. Louis County Records.

The one story single family dwelling known and numbered as 6013 Evergreen Ave, on Lot 13, Kinloch Park, a subdivision in St. Louis County, Missouri according to the plat thereof recorded in Plat Book 06618 Page 0238 of the St. Louis County Records.

The one story single family dwelling known and numbered as 6057 Hancock, Block 22, LOT 36, Berkeley Orchards 2Nd Addition, subdivision in St. Louis County, Missouri according to the plat thereof recorded in Plat Book 07013 Page 0023 of the St. Louis County Records.

The one story single family dwelling known and numbered as 6745 St Olaf, LOT 418, Frostwood Plat 10, subdivision in St. Louis County, Missouri according to the plat thereof recorded in Plat Book 17913 Page 624 of the St. Louis County Records.

All owners, heirs, interested parties, affected parties may be represented by counsel and shall have an opportunity to be heard. After the hearing, if the evidence supports a finding that the structure is a nuisance and detrimental to the health, safety or welfare of the residents of the City of Berkeley, the Building Commissioner and/or Hearing Officer will order the structure to be demolished and removed.

Individuals with disabilities who need reasonable accommodation to participate should contact Deanna Jones, City Clerk by phone at 314-524-3133, or email: cityclerk@ci.berkeley.mo.us in advance.

By Order of the Building Commissioner

NOTICE

PUBLISHER’S NOTICE:

Advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, imitation, or discrimination because of race,color, religion, sex, handicap, familial\status, or national origin, or intention to make any such preference,limitation, or discrimination.“We will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.” Call Angelita at 314-289-5430 to place your rental/real estate ad today!

NOTICE

Administration Building, 41 South Central Avenue, 8th Floor, Clayton, Missouri 63105, until 2:00 p.m. on July 25, 2018. Plans and specifications will be available on July 2, 2018 from the St. Louis County Web Site (www.stlouisco.com), or by contacting County Blue Reprographics, Inc., 1449 Strassner Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63144, (314) 961-3800.

DIRECTOR OF PROCUREMENT AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES ST. LOUIS, COUNTY

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Detailed Plan for Bevo Great Streets Project

East-West Gateway is seeking submittals from consultants to develop a detailed plan for the Bevo Great Streets Project. A DBE goal will be set for this project. Submittals are due no later than 1:00 p.m. on August 1, 2018. Submittal details and specifications can be obtained at www.ewgateway.org or by calling 314-421-4220 ext. 263.

METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS SEWER DISTRICT

Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is accepting proposals in the Purchasing Division, 2350 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103-2555 until 10:00 a.m. on August 9th, 2018 to contract with a company for: Minority Advertising Services.

Specifications and bid forms may be obtained from www.stlmsd.com, click on the “MSD AT WORK” link, (bid opportunities). The bid document will be identified as 9460 RFP. If you do not have access to the internet, call 314.768.2735 to request a copy of this bid.

Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

PUBLIC NOTICE – CRAN_ RKSL_PAPIN_3_3C AT&T Mobility, LLC is proposing to collocate antennas on a new 32-foot utility pole at 1113 Mississippi Avenue – C, St. Louis, St. Louis County, MO. Public comments regarding the potential effects from this site on historic properties may be submitted within 30-days from the date of this publication to: Maggie Klejbuk – CBRE, 70 West Red Oak Lane, White Plains, NY 10604, whiteplainsculturalresources@cbre.com or (914) 694-9600.

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Sealed bids for North and South Road ARS Infrastructure, St. Louis County Project No. AR-1493, will be received at the Office of the Director of Procurement for the County of St. Louis, County Government Center Administration Building, 41 South Central Avenue, 8th Floor, Clayton, Missouri 63105, until 2:00 p.m. on July 25, 2018 Plans and specifications will be available on July 2, 2018 from the St. Louis County Web Site (www.stlouisco.com), or by contacting County Blue Reprographics, Inc., 1449 Strassner Drive, St. Louis,

The Message

Pushing crime accountability It’s not easy

St. Louis Metropolitan Clergy pushes crime accountability

By Ashley Jones For The St. Louis American

The St. Louis Metropolitan Clergy Coalition met on June 29 at Life Center International Church of God In Christ with civic officials and community activists to address the growing crime epidemic and to encourage the St. Louis Community to help in the reduction of crime by holding their fellow citizens accountable.

“What is it that has caused our society to deteriorate to the point that nothing is sacred and that people are fearful even to

speak up?” asked Bishop Elijah H. Hankerson III, president of the St. Louis Metropolitan Clergy Coalition. “The answer is a loss of a sense of community, but as clergy we do believe that we are our brother’s keeper.”

There are three things that the clergy wants every St. Louis faith leader and community member to do in efforts toward the call of crime reduction; encourage their parishioners to get involved in block units, utilize crime stoppers which is a service that helps keep crime held accountable, and encouraging all citizens to be active in a faith tradition of their choice.

Crime Stoppers is the gap between being a witness to a crime and not saying anything. They give the information of anonymous tips directly to the

law enforcement agency that needs it or the officer that is dealing with that crime. They have been keeping their tips anonymous for 13 years, and if the information helps make an arrest in any case the board will vote on a cash reward from $100 to $1,000. If the tip helps solve a homicide case, the anonymous tipper can receive up to $5,000.

“Faith in God is the proven moral compass of our society. It is at the church that you learn thou shall not steal, thou shall not kill, do onto others as you would have them do unto you, it is even at the church that you learn love your neighbor as you love yourself,” Hankerson said.

The additional speakers to speak on how working together will reduce the crime in their community included St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson,

The St.Louis Metropolitan Clergy Coalition held a press conference regarding crime reduction in response to recent shootings on Friday, June 29, at Life Center International Church Of God In Christ. Speakers were Public Safety Director Judge Jimmie Edwards (pictured) Mayor Lyda Krewson, James Clark and Steven C. Roberts of the Sheriff’s office.

Photo by Wiley Price

Public Safety Director Jimmie Edwards, Police Chief John Hayden, Steven Roberts of the Sheriff’s office and James Clark of Better Family Life.

“We have an alignment right now that St. Louis has never had before. We have the corporate community weighing in, we have law enforcement leadership weighing in, we have political leadership weighing in, and now we have the bedrock of our community the church once again leading the cause,” Clark said.

“St. Louis we are about to resurrect ourselves like never before.”

If you have an anonymous tip to a crime and would care to speak up you can call crime stoppers at 1-866-371-8477 or visit http://stlrcs.org/.

Just how hard is it to be a card-carrying Christian these days? We’ve got card -carrying Democrats and Republicans. You can get a membership card for every organization from the NAACP to the ACLU. The more I study, the more I’m moved to realize that being a professed card-carrying Christian, man or woman of faith, is, as I’ve said countless times, tantamount to putting a bull’s eye on your back and inviting an artillery barrage on your location. Scripture tells us that accepting Jesus Christ as a way of life is never an easy task. Being crucified, thrown to the lions for fun and games, beheaded or ostracized were all very real possibilities for those who believed and then lived according to the word of God. Is today so different? Once you commit your life to Christ, isn’t it interesting the kind of attention you attract?

“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” 1 Peter 5:8-9.

Looking around the world today, religious persecution is still the number one cause of war and man’s inhumanity to man. CNN will attest to the fact that people all over the planet are being systematically annihilated for the so-called God they worship. We sometimes take for granted the religious freedom we have in this country, and I believe it has lulled us into a sense that being a Christian is easy. Well, it’s not and never has been. It’s empowering. It’s enlightening. It’s eternal. But it is not easy.

The good news is we are not alone and never have been. Living for God is a reality of human existence. Christians believe in life after physical death. We have some insight into what to expect. Faith lets us know the difference between the physical and the eternal. Is it a wonder, then, that belief in a deity who demands love and appreciates mercy causes an adverse reaction from those who believe otherwise? Isn’t it a wonder that those who love Christ invite the wrath of Lucifer in all his forms?

That target on your back should be worn like a red badge of courage, because courage is what it’s going to take to withstand the ridicule of the world and the scorn of those who would tempt the weaknesses of your passions and addictions, let alone threaten your very life. I continue to be moved by the acts of faith contained in the Bible and those we see every day, where a simple declaration that Christ is the Son of God is an invitation to certain and immediate harm and even death. Let me at least acknowledge that there is a target on my back and thereby tell the world I’m easy to find.

Columnist James Washington